UK to ‘coordinate on new Rwanda sanctions’ and ‘suspend export licences’
The UK government has said that it is ‘extremely concerned’ by the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (‘DRC’) and is prepared to take measures in response.
In a press statement, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (‘FCDO’) said UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy had recently met with DRC President Tshisekedi in Kinshasa, and Rwandan President Kagame in Kigali, on 21 and 22 February respectively.
It said, ‘In his meetings, he was clear that there can be no military solution to the conflict. There must be an immediate cessation of hostilities. The recent offensives by M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), including the capture of Goma and Bukavu, are an unacceptable violation of DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a breach of the UN Charter.’
‘The Foreign Secretary urged both leaders to engage meaningfully and in good faith with African led peace processes to find a lasting political solution. They must honour all commitments made at the Joint EAC-SADC Summit on 8 February. The UK will continue to discuss with African and other partners what more it can do to support these efforts,’ said the Foreign Office.
It added that ‘until significant progress is made’, the UK would take measures including:
- Ceasing ‘high-level attendance at events hosted by the Government of Rwanda,’
- Limiting trade promotion activity with Rwanda
- Pausing ‘direct bilateral financial aid to the Government of Rwanda, excluding support to the poorest and most vulnerable.’
It would also, it said, ‘coordinate with partners on potential new sanctions designations, suspend future defence training assistance to Rwanda [and] review export licences for the Rwanda Defence Force.’
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-statement-on-response-to-the-situation-in-eastern-drc
