Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the launch of the new Congolese rebel group known as Alliance Fleuve Congo and the consequences for relations between the East African Community and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The UK is concerned about the establishment of Alliance Fleuve Congo, which combines various armed rebel groups active in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The proliferation of armed groups threatens the lives of civilians in an area of the DRC that has suffered years of conflict. Along with our partners, the UK urges all parties to pursue dialogue including through the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes. Our embassies in the region are delivering this clear message.