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Congo: Unfinished Business |
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Written by Administrator
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Tuesday, 13 January 2009 09:35 |
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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.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 January 2009 10:20 |
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Threats to the Congo rainforests |
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Written by APPG Administrator
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Friday, 18 May 2007 11:12 |
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The Democratic Republic of Congo has approximately 25% of the world’s remaining rainforests. In contrast to neighbouring countries, very little commercial exploitation has occurred in its 1.3 million square kilometres of forest (an area twice the size of France) as a result of the limited road infrastructure and years of debilitating conflict. However, now relative stability has returned to Congo and with the restoration of democracy, international logging companies are lining up to commercially exploit this valuable resource. At the same time the international community is now recognising the value to the global climate of preserving the forests and the need to pay countries such as the DRC not to cut them down.
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Last Updated on Monday, 25 August 2008 23:58 |
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DRC Natural Resource Sector Reform |
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Written by APPG Administrator
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Tuesday, 30 January 2007 15:10 |
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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.
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Last Updated on Monday, 25 August 2008 23:57 |
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Burundi and Rwanda mission report |
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Written by APPG Administrator
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Monday, 31 December 2007 14:19 |
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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.
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Last Updated on Monday, 25 August 2008 23:50 |
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2006 election missions report |
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Written by APPG Administrator
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Tuesday, 30 January 2007 15:25 |
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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. |
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Last Updated on Friday, 18 January 2008 08:16 |
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Page 5 of 6 |
Helen Barclay"Time to go home? What are the protection challenges faced by IDPs in Northern Uganda?"
Written PQ's July 2010
The OECD Guidelines and the DRC cases (1910)
