MPs shine a spotlight on the situation in Democratic Republic of the Congo
MPs on the International Development Committee will spotlight the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as violence continues despite peacebuilding efforts.
The war in eastern DRC has been described as the deadliest conflict since World War II with over 6 million deaths and millions more displaced.
Tuesday’s session will give MPs an opportunity to question experts and those with lived experience of DRC about the conditions for people who live there, efforts to provide humanitarian assistance, and efforts to end the conflict at the local and international levels.
The first panel will focus on humanitarian and grassroots peace-building efforts. The Committee will explore the experiences of women in eastern DRC and the challenges facing the humanitarian response.
The second panel will focus on the political situation and efforts towards ending the conflict, with the Committee investigating key underlying drivers of the conflict.
Meeting details
The session comes as DRC is embroiled in an ongoing political confrontation with Rwanda and conflict has continued despite the two countries signing a peace deal with US President Donald Trump last year.
Meanwhile, UK International Development Minister Baroness Chapman visited DRC in March this year and committed £7.3 million in extra humanitarian support to communities affected by escalating conflict in eastern DRC and the wider region.
Picking up on this, witnesses could also be asked about the latest progress in US-led peace talks and what it will take for a UK Government effort to be successful.