Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what recent discussions he has had representatives of (a) the Democratic Republic of Congo, (b) MONUSCO, (c) the Southern African Development Community and (d) Rwanda on the (i) threat posed to the city of Goma by the M23 armed group, (ii) security of UK personnel and nationals in Goma and (iii) security of UN and other international personnel in Goma.

The UK is concerned by the further escalation of fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and its appalling humanitarian consequences. We regularly raise the threat posed by M23 and other armed groups with the governments of DRC and Rwanda. We urge all parties to deliver on their commitments, agreed through the Nairobi and Luanda regional peace processes. This includes the cessation of hostilities, respect for sovereignty and agreed withdrawal by armed groups, including M23. We remain alert to the evolving security situation in eastern DRC and the safety of British nationals and UK personnel remains the FCDO's top priority.