Global Policy Forum

Statement by the Democratic Party
on the report by the UN Panel of Experts on the DRC

The Democratic Party (DP), wishes to read to the recommendations by the UN Panel of Experts on the illegal exploitation of resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), by some officers of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) and some members and relatives of the first family.

The UN panel of experts has among other things, recommended sanctions against Uganda for its involvement in illicit trade of diamonds, gold, coffee and timber from DRC.

The Democratic Party has no doubts that these recommendations could be implemented. This is not the first time that sanctions are imposed on countries that do not respect internaitonal coventions.

The UN has to maintain its standards and if they have imposed sanctions to other countries, they can do it to Uganda.

It is however very fortunate that a situation that could have been avoided might now lead to the total isolation of our country by the internationl community. Had government heeded to our call and reprimanded the errant officers, Uganda would not have experienced this threat. But this is a price which ordinary people have to pay for having a leadership that does not listen to dissenting voices, and engages in military adventurism.

Although government is protesting, the UN report seems to be more believable, and is not surprising to anyone who has been following events in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Democratic Party is at least happy that the issues it has always raised for three years now about the DRC war have been taken up by the World's body - the UN.

Since the invasion of the DRC by Uganda, circumstantial evidence has always pointed to the military officers now being mentioned in the UN report. The Democratic Party is however calling for an open debate locally and internationally before the recommendations are implemented.

It would for example be interesting to establish how members of the first family were involved in the illegal trade without President Yoweri Museveni's knowledge.

Could the lavish expenditure by Mr. Museveni be linked to the illegitimate profits from the DRC's resources? Was it possible for one to raise in an honest way Ushs. 25 billion Shillings (approx. US$ 14.5 million) for presidential campaigns under the present situation?

And what about the unexplained wealth amassed by people connected to the military offensive in the DRC? Couldn't it be interesting to investigate their bank accounts?

The Democratic Party still maintains that such a grand plan could not have been implemented without the knowledge of President Yoweri Museveni, who is also a Commander in Chief of UPDF. The secrecy and non-transparent way in which government of Uganda has been handling the DRC crisis augments any finding on plundering of resources in the DRC.