Skip to content

APPG on the Great Lakes Region of Africa

  • Increase font size
  • Decrease font size
  • Default font size

 

The APPG is the leading forum in Parliament for discussion and critical analysis of policy issues affecting the people of the Great Lakes region. Parliamentary delegations from the APPG travel to the region, and produce reports which analyse current issues and make policy recommendations. The APPG produces in-depth, thematic reports based on extensive research from a comprehensive range of sources. Members of the APPG publish articles on Great Lakes and Genocide issues in national and international media.




Parliamentary Mission to Burundi PDF Print E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Wednesday, 16 December 2009 12:52

Between 8-14 March 2009, the APPG and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office undertook a joint parliamentary strenghtening mission to Burundi. The mission aimed to strenghten relations between the two parliaments and build capacity and understanding on both sides. In addition, the mission focused on key issues in Burundi at the time including political tensions, forthcoming elections and violence against women.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 December 2009 13:02
Read more...
 
APPG Activity Report 2008-2009 PDF Print E-mail
Written by APPG Administrator   
Friday, 16 October 2009 18:06
This document provides a summary of the activities of the APPG on the Great Lakes Region of Africa from February 2008 – May 2009. This period has once again been busy for the APPG, with a wide-ranging agenda including three missions to the region, a number of parliamentary debates, two major reports, and the successful launch of the Congo Now! campaign. In our 10th year we continue to be among the most active Groups in parliament. 
Last Updated on Saturday, 17 October 2009 20:46
Read more...
 
Rapport sur les violences sexuelles PDF Print E-mail
Written by APPG Administrator   
Friday, 13 February 2009 11:50

Le problème des violences sexuelles en République Démocratique du Congo, bien documenté, est sans aucun doute épouvantable. Une action concertée pour lutter contre ce problème est évidemment nécessaire. Plusieurs facteurs différents jouent un rôle dans la perpétuation de la crise, notamment au niveau général, l’insécurité continuelle à l’est et le besoin de mettre sur pied un état congolais bien fonctionnel. Cependant, pour plusieurs observateurs, la question sous-jacente fondamentale est celle de l’impunité. En effet, sans la capacité de poursuivre les auteurs et d’affirmer l’état de droit, les violences sexuelles se poursuivront même si les combats s’arrêtent. L’atteinte de ces objectifs revient, dans une grande mesure, à une question de mettre sur pied et réformer les secteurs de la justice et de la sécurité. Mais pour ce faire, il faudra une grande volonté politique et des efforts coordonnés de toutes parts.  

Last Updated on Friday, 13 February 2009 14:53
Read more...
 
Congo: Unfinished Business PDF Print E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Tuesday, 13 January 2009 09:35

The Democratic Republic of Congo has made significant progress since the start of the transition, but it is clear most of the underlying challenges facing the country remain unresolved and are a grave threat to any gains. In the latest in in its series of reports the APPG reviews key areas of concern and recommendations for urgent action almost two years after the 2006 elections. Among these challenges are the imminent threat of the unresolved conflict in the east, the lack of meaningful security sector reform, the slow progress on education and protection of children, the ongoing wave of violence against women, the need to improve democratic accountability and protection of human rights, and the problem of corruption and poor governance – particularly of natural resources.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 January 2009 10:20
Read more...
 
Sexual violence report published PDF Print E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Tuesday, 13 January 2009 09:33

The problem of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo is well documented, and by any standards horrendous. Concerted action to counter it is clearly needed. Many different factors play a role in the perpetuation of the crisis, including on the broadest level the ongoing insecurity in the east and the need to develop a more properly functioning Congolese state. But for many observers, the core underlying issue is one of impunity. Without the ability to hold perpetrators to account and assert the rule of law, sexual violence will continue even if fighting does not. Achieving these aims is to a good degree a matter of developing and reforming the institutions of the justice and security sectors, but to do so will require considerable political will and a coordinated effort on all sides.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 January 2009 10:06
Read more...
 
Congo Crisis: APPG statement PDF Print E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Thursday, 30 October 2008 00:00
The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on the Great Lakes Region of Africa called today for urgent international intervention to contain the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, reinforce UN troops struggling to respond, and address the underlying causes of the conflict.

APPG chair Eric Joyce MP said: “This crisis is a grave threat to the progress that has been made in years of efforts to end the deadliest conflict of modern times, and could greatly damage the credibility of the UN and of the international community. We need urgent action to support MONUC in its immediate task – and then to finally make progress with ending the underlying conflict in eastern Congo.”

Last Updated on Friday, 13 February 2009 11:48
Read more...
 
Rapport de Mission au Burundi PDF Print E-mail
Written by APPG Administrator   
Wednesday, 19 March 2008 11:59

L’APPG a visité le Burundi et le Rwanda lors de sa mission sur terrain de 2007. Le présent rapport couvre la partie de la mission relative au Burundi (un rapport sur toute la mission est disponible sur notre site). A l’instar du Rwanda, le Burundi est un pays post-conflit dont l’avenir est crucial au reste de la région des Grands Lacs. En effet, de récents événements– notamment l’instabilité actuelle à l’Est du Congo – continuent à mettre en exergue le danger réel et présent d’un regain de violence dans la région ainsi que le caractère inter-lié de la menace. Ces événements soulignent aussi le besoin évident d’un engagement immédiat – tant politique que matériel – afin de prévenir une dérive bien plus dangereuse vers le conflit et le sous-développement à l’avenir.

Le peuple burundais et à leurs leaders doivent etre félicités pour la transformation remarquable intervenue dans le pays au cours de dernières années, transformation qui a grandement aidé à transcender les conflits ethniques du passé. Cependant, le pays est désespérément pauvre et se trouve à une étape où il y a un risque de regain de violence qui pourrait sérieusement affecter la région tout entière. Les bailleurs doivent  honorer leur engagement et s’assurer qu’ils travaillent en coordination les uns avec les autres aussi bien qu’avec le gouvernement et la société civile. Dans le court terme, la préoccupation primordiale consiste en la conclusion d’un accord de paix définitif avec le Palipehutu-FNL. Mais il subsiste des questions importantes pour le long terme, dont la plupart portant sur la mise sur pied des éléments constitutifs d’un état fonctionnel et responsable.

Pour voir le rapport, cliquez ici.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 January 2009 09:21
 
Burundi and Rwanda mission report PDF Print E-mail
Written by APPG Administrator   
Monday, 31 December 2007 14:19

Members of the APPG visited Burundi and Rwanda to study developments in two countries of vital importance to the overall stability of the region, and to influence and encourage international engagement. The delegation, including MPs Russell Brown, Stephen Crabb, and David Drew, visited both countries and met with Presidents Nkurunziza and Kagame, as well as a wide range of ministers, officials, international organisations, civil society, and members of the public. Both countries call for engagement now – both political and material – to prevent a far more costly slide into instability or under-development in the future.

A full copy of the report in Word format (1.2MB) can be downloaded by clicking here.  A version without graphics (232KB) is available here.

Last Updated on Monday, 25 August 2008 23:50
Read more...
 
2006 election missions report PDF Print E-mail
Written by APPG Administrator   
Tuesday, 30 January 2007 15:25

A total of 10 MPs and Peers took part in the APPG election monitoring missions to both the first and second rounds of the 2006 presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The bottom-line conclusion of both missions was that in the areas where the APPG was present the election process was fundamentally sound. There were concerns over a number of procedural issues in the July ballot especially, but these concerns were relatively minor with the exception of a number of organisational issues with the compilation centres in the first round, and these were such that they would have been serious above all if it became necessary to reconstruct individual results from poorly-archived ballot papers. Overall, the observers were deeply struck by the dedication of voters and election staff and the concern shown for the proper conduct of the vote. The APPG congratulates the Congolese people on a remarkable and historic achievement.   During both monitoring missions the APPG had a substantial number of meetings and site visits outside of the election process. Among the most important issues raised were:

· The elections are only one element of democratic accountability. It is essential that the same dedication, concern, and international engagement be applied to all aspects of democratic governance. In particular, the UK should support the DRC parliament, civil society and justice system, and put in place capacity-building measures. 

· The enormous humanitarian and developmental challenge facing the country remains almost untouched after the transition. International engagement should strengthen rather than diminish under the new government. Similarly, there should be no over-hasty winding down of the MONUC mission.

· The importance of disarmament and security sector reform. · The need to improve governance and tackle corruption, especially in relation to natural resources (including both minerals and the Congo basin forests). Foreign investment must be encouraged, but it must benefit the Congolese people.

· The especially vulnerable position of women and children, including street children 

The full report of the monitoring missions is available here.

Last Updated on Friday, 18 January 2008 08:16
 
DRC Natural Resource Sector Reform PDF Print E-mail
Written by APPG Administrator   
Tuesday, 30 January 2007 15:10

The APPG convened a meeting on December 6, 2006 to discuss the agenda for reform of the natural resource sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). One of the principle aims of the meeting was to contribute to the work of the United Nations Group of Experts by discussing suggestions for action raised in the course of their work so far and by making further proposals within a round-table forum. A wide cross-section of business, government, and NGO representatives took part, including participants from the DRC, UK and Belgian governments, mining, assaying, and security companies, governance consultants and experts, NGOs from the environmental, development, and human rights sectors, and UK parliamentarians.

Last Updated on Monday, 25 August 2008 23:57
Read more...
 
DRC Natural Resource Sector Reform PDF Print E-mail
Written by APPG Administrator   
Tuesday, 30 January 2007 13:15

The APPG convened a meeting on December 6, 2006 to discuss the agenda for reform of the natural resource sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). One of the principle aims of the meeting was to contribute to the work of the United Nations Group of Experts by discussing suggestions for action raised in the course of their work so far and by making further proposals within a round-table forum. A wide cross-section of business, government, and NGO representatives took part, including participants from the DRC, UK and Belgian governments, mining, assaying, and security companies, governance consultants and experts, NGOs from the environmental, development, and human rights sectors, and UK parliamentarians.  

 A summary meeting report, including 19 recommendations for action, is available here. Full minutes of the entire session are also available here.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 January 2007 13:36
 
La réforme du secteur des ressources naturelles dans la RDC PDF Print E-mail
Written by APPG Administrator   
Tuesday, 30 January 2007 13:01

Rapport de la table ronde de l'APPG, 6 décembre 2006, sur la réforme du secteur des ressources naturelles dans la RDC. 

Le groupe parlementaire multipartite sur la Région des Grands Lacs d'Afrique a convenu d'une réunion le 6 décembre 2006 pour discuter de l'ordre du jour pour la réforme du secteur des ressources naturelles de la république démocratique du Congo (RDC). L'un des principaux objectifs de la réunion était de contribuer au travail du groupe d'experts des Nations Unies en discutant de suggestions d'action qui ont été émises au cours de leur travail jusqu'ici et en formulant d'autres propositions dans un forum de tables rondes. Un éventail très large de représentants d'entreprises, du gouvernement et d'O.N.G. ont participé, avec entre autres des participants provenant des gouvernements de la République Démocratique du Congo, du Royaume-Uni et de la Belgique, des entreprises minières, d'analyses et de sécurité, de consultants et d'experts de la gouvernance, d'O.N.G. travaillant dans le secteur de l'environnement, du développement et des droits de l'homme ainsi que des parlementaires du Royaume-Uni.  

Cliquez ici.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 30 January 2007 13:03
 
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 Next > End >>

Page 1 of 3

Regional News Feeds

  • IRIN: Today's most popular IRIN articles
    NAIROBI Friday, March 05, 2010 (IRIN) - Here are the most popular new articles on the IRIN website over the last 24 hours. Updated hourly. This feature was launched on 18 July, but will display the latest, most popular items of today.
  • Analysis: Tensions high in run-up to Burundi elections
    BUJUMBURA Thursday, March 04, 2010 (IRIN) - As Burundi approaches elections designed to cap the country’s democratic transition after years of civil conflict, there is growing concern about worsening security and limits to political freedom.
  • DRC-RWANDA: Hard homecoming for Kivu returnees
    GOMA Monday, March 01, 2010 (IRIN) - For the many thousands of people displaced by conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kivu regions who have returned to their villages, home has its many hardships.
  • DRC-UGANDA: Aid workers battle to help "forgotten" refugees
    NAKIVALE Wednesday, March 10, 2010 (IRIN) - With at least 67,000 refugees in southwest Uganda, the government and aid workers are still battling inadequate resources in what a UN official described as a "silent emergency".
  • AFRICA: Funding shortfalls foil new treatment guidelines
    NAIROBI Tuesday, March 09, 2010 (IRIN) - Global funding shortfalls for fighting AIDS could make it impossible for developing countries to implement new World Health Organization treatment guidelines, activists have said.
  • IRIN: Today's most popular IRIN articles
    NAIROBI Friday, March 05, 2010 (IRIN) - Here are the most popular new articles on the IRIN website over the last 24 hours. Updated hourly. This feature was launched on 18 July, but will display the latest, most popular items of today.
  • UGANDA: Health fears follow deadly mudslides
    BUKALASI Wednesday, March 10, 2010 (IRIN) - Rose Nakhayetse is lucky to be alive, but her ordeal is far from over. Having narrowly escaped last week’s deadly landslides in eastern Uganda, she and thousands of others are facing fresh dangers.
  • UGANDA: Sanitary pad project "changes refugees' lives"
    KYAKA II Tuesday, March 09, 2010 (IRIN) - A project using papyrus and waste paper to make sanitary pads has changed the life of Evelyne Banyamisa, who fled rebel violence in Bunia, north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2003 when she was only 13.
  • AFRICA: Funding shortfalls foil new treatment guidelines
    NAIROBI Tuesday, March 09, 2010 (IRIN) - Global funding shortfalls for fighting AIDS could make it impossible for developing countries to implement new World Health Organization treatment guidelines, activists have said.
  • MOZAMBIQUE: Floods force mass evacuation
    JOHANNESBURG, 10 March 2010 (IRIN) - Mozambique's National Disaster Management Institute (INGC) has raised the flood alert level to "red" and some 130,000 people living along three main rivers in central Mozambique are at risk of possible floods and need to be moved urgently.
  • NIGER: Southern villages emptying as drought bites
    TANOUT, 10 March 2010 (IRIN) - "Empty" increasingly describes the southern Niger town of Tanout in Zinder Region: Water wells and pastures, fields and food banks - and slowly - entire villages, are emptying.
  • KENYA: Thousands hit by flooding
    ISIOLO-NAIROBI, 10 March 2010 (IRIN) - At least 10,000 people in Kenya have been displaced by flooding, mainly in the north, which has prompted fears of an outbreak of waterborne diseases. Hundreds of heads of livestock have drowned or gone missing and dozens of houses and business stalls are submerged.

E-mail Newsletter

Keep yourself updated with our FREE newsletters now!






Le Petit Journal