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NEWS RELEASES

October 16, 2002 (12:20 p.m. EDT) No. 122

CANADA CONCERNED BY RESUMPTION OF HOSTILITIES IN EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham has expressed deep concern in the face of renewed hostilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), mainly between the Maï-Maï militia and the forces of the Congolese Movement for Democracy. This violence comes on the heels of the withdrawal of the Rwandan Patriotic Army from the DRC. The withdrawal, which took place well within the time frame set out in the Pretoria Accord of July 30, 2002, remains a very encouraging and important step in restoring peace to the Great Lakes region.

"We call on the various combatants to put an immediate end to these clashes. They are standing in the way of a return to peace and the conclusion of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue process, and exacerbating an already bleak humanitarian situation," said Minister Graham. "At the same time, we invite the signatories to the Pretoria Accord to use all their influence with these groups to stop the violence."

Canada urges the Government of the DRC to fulfill all of its obligations under the Pretoria Accord: to immediately begin disarming and regrouping the former Rwandan armed forces and the Interahamwe militia on its territory, thereby enabling the UN Mission in the Congo to fulfill the task assigned to it by the Security Council. It is also important that Rwandan leaders responsible for genocide be brought to justice.

Canada is also following with great interest the recent efforts to expedite a resolution of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue. All parties involved in the Dialogue are encouraged to continue these efforts in order to finally reach a global agreement that would enable the Congo to acquire effective transitional institutions and open the way for elections.

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