WRITTEN QUESTION E-0950/98 by Iñigo Méndez de Vigo (PPE) to the Council (31 March 1998)

Subject: Fighting on both sides of the border between Rwanda and Congo

The border between the former Zaire and Rwanda has become a battlefield, in which two separate wars are currently being waged. On one side of the border, in Butembo, 300 people have been killed in the fighting between the Maimai militia and Kabila's forces whilst, over the border, near Guitarama, 2 000 Hutu extremists are surrounded by the Rwandan army whose aim is to exterminate them, having already slaughtered 135 Hutus. So far, the death toll in the fighting on both sides of the border has reached 435. The situation is extremely unstable on both fronts and neither Kabila's forces nor the Rwandan army appear to be in control.

Is the Council aware of the severity of the situation? Has it taken, or will it be taking, any initiatives in connection with it?

Answer (8 June 1998)

The Council shares the concern of the Honourable Member over the continued instability and resumption of fighting on both sides of the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The European Union is determined, through partnership with governments and others in the region, and including through the good offices of its Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region, to promote political stability, democratisation and economic and social development. The EU Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Mr Ajello, reported to the Council on 30 March 1998 on his latest mission to the area and has since been on a further mission to the Great Lakes Region.

On the DRC, the European Union remains concerned in particular about the fragile situation in the Kivu region. The DRC Government has recently sent a large number of troops to the Kivu provinces to restore order and prevent rebel groups from using DRC territory to stage raids into neighbouring countries. It appears that the neighbouring countries have made it clear that they could settle the problem on their own, if the DRC is not able to assert its control over its border areas. Little is known about the origins of the Mai Mai uprising. The Mai Mai were one of the earliest supporters of Kabila's uprising against Mobutu in late 1996, but their forces have refused to become integrated in the new DRC army, which has never been able to effectively control their tribal homelands. Mai Mai traditional warriors, former Mobutu's government troops, local tribesmen protesting at the presence of Rwandan Tutsi troops in DRC, and Hutu rebels from neighbouring Rwanda and Burundi may be fighting alongside one another.

The action of Hutu extremists, ex-FAR and Interahamwe militia in Rwanda is a different problem which involves primarily the Rwandan Government. The Council uses every opportunity to bring across the message to the Rwandan Government that only a political solution can bring lasting peace and reconciliation in Rwanda. On 30 March 1998 the Council adopted a Common Position setting out the political principles on which the EU will base its future relations with Rwanda. It also adopted conclusions on the Great Lakes Region. The Heads of Mission of the Troika in Kigali submitted the Common Position to the Rwandan Government, which agreed that its aims were unity and national reconciliation, rule of law, respect for human rights, promotion of democracy and power-sharing.

The Council works closely with other interested parties, such as the UN, OAU, the regional leaders and with the United States to promote political solutions to the conflicts of the region. In due course the idea of an international conference under the auspices of the UN and the OAU on peace, security and development should be considered. The Council will continue to follow the situation in the Great Lakes Region closely.