By James Karuhanga
The New Times-Kigali
28 October 2009
Urugwiro Villiage — The United Nations Secretary General's Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that the problem of FDLR is being resolved by the European Union.
Speaking to the press after his meeting with President Paul Kagame at Urugwiro Village yesterday, Obasanjo, disagreed with the notion that Europe is dragging its feet when it comes to reining in on FDLR leaders currently residing in European capitals.
"I don't believe so, because when I was in Europe, one of the things I said to them is that - you (EU) cannot be saying to us that the issue of security in the region should be dealt with, yet you are accommodating and supporting those who are fueling the conflict," Obasanjo said.
"And now they have - they promised they would take corrective measures."
"Both in the field and outside in the region where there are supporters and those who are underwriting their finances."
The Council of Europe, EU's principal decision-making body, Tuesday revealed that European countries are considering concrete measures within the bloc to tackle FDLR, in addition to fully implementing previous Security Council's resolutions against the FDLR, especially its Europe-based leaders
A statement from the Office of the President reported that President Kagame praised Obasanjo and his work as special envoy in the region, which he carried out in conjunction with the AU Special Envoy, former President of Tanzania, Benjamin Mkapa saying that they had been the right people for the task is set to benefit the citizens of the two countries.
"President Kagame pointed out that the lingering problems in Eastern DRC were not insurmountable, as these were symptoms of underlying problems, and that past experience showed that dealing with the root causes would lead to real solutions. President Kagame also underscored the importance of good governance and building national institutions in achieving long-term stability and prosperity," the statement reads in part.
Obasanjo acknowledged the improved relations between Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo saying that even the development partners are happy about the developments in the region, but quickly acknowledged that much remains to be done.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rosemary Museminali also reiterated the government's stand on the issue of the FDLR.
"We don't see any reasons why the leadership of FDLR in Europe cannot be indicted, there is no need to just get one or two," Museminali said while calling for a "push" against FDLR elements worldwide.
"I don't want to speculate about what they will do and what they will not do, but I want to urge each and every country that is harboring any of these FDLR members today to come out and support peace and help fight impunity".
Related Materials:
DRC: There Is No Military Solutions To Political Problems
UN: The Joint Military Operation Against The FDLR Has Failed
Rwanda: Pressure for FDLR-Government Talks Mounting
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