Wnited States Senate WASHINGTON, DC 20510 April 4, 2008 ‘The Honorable Patrick J. Leahy ‘The Honorable Judd Gregg Chairman, Subcommittee on Ranking Member, Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Programs Committee on Appropriations Committee on Appropriations United States Senate United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510 Dear Mr. Chairman and Senator Gregg: We are writing to you about two ongoing crises in the Great Lakes region of Africa that also, for the first time in years perhaps, offer opportunities for real advances in peace, security, and economic development. In both Northem Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), significant progress has been made in recent months in moving peace initiatives forward. United States leadership in helping to shape and encourage negotiations has been critical to this process. AAs you prepare the Supplemental Appropriations bill, we urge you to continue this leadership by providing $20 million in emergency assistance for each country. On February 18, 2008, the Ugandan government and the Lord’s Resistance Army have signed a “permanent cease-fire” agreement. This formal cessation of hostilities represents an important benchmark in the quest to end one of Africa’s longest and most brutal civil wars. This transition to peace must be accompanied by a transition in U.S. assistance from humanitarian relief to sustainable development. A bold investment now in strengthening local governance and civil society, in supporting reintegration and reconciliation for the victims of this conflict, and in helping to reconstruct the economy of this war-torn region is critically needed. We believe that $20 million in additional emergency assistance is appropriate and necessary during this window of opportunity to build a lasting peace. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, there have also been significant steps forward in the quest for peace in the troubled eastem region. Since 1998, according to mortality studies by the Intemational Rescue Committee, 5.4 million people have died in the Congo, mostly as a result of hunger, disease, and displacement caused by the conflict. Here too, a cease-fire agreement between the government and the rebels has been reached, as well as new accords between the DRC and its neighbors. Though fragile, there is hope for the region now that has long been absent. There is also an opportunity to make a concrete difference, by providing additional assistance to support peace building measures among local leaders; by supporting security sector reform and the disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation, and reintegrationprocess for combatants and the return process for refugees and internally displaced persons; by strengthening the judicial sector; and by substantially increasing assistance to prevent gender- based violence and to assist its many survivors in eastem Congo. Again, we would urge you to provide $20 million in assistance to support this pivotal transition. ‘We understand that there are many priorities that you must consider, but we believe that the situations in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo each demand particular attention and leadership at this time, Thank you for your consideration of this request. Sincerely, dee lye Bev — ‘Bi Gy Bin tw por se OE