Security Council urges Rwanda to stop supporting M23 in eastern DR Congo
Peace and Security
The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Friday that strongly condemned the ongoing offensive by M23 rebels in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The Council demanded that the M23 immediately cease hostilities, withdraw from all areas that it controls, “and fully reverse the establishment of illegitimate parallel administrations in the DRC territory.”
The 15 members called on the Rwanda Defence Forces to stop supporting the armed group and immediately withdraw from Congolese territory “without preconditions.”
They reiterated their urgent appeal for all parties to conclude an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as called for by leaders from East and Southern Africa.
They strongly urged the DRC and Rwanda “to return without preconditions to diplomatic talks as a matter of urgency to achieve a lasting and peaceful resolution of the protracted conflict in the region.”
The resolution also condemns support provided by DRC military forces to specific armed groups, particularly the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). It calls for “the urgent implementation of commitments to neutralize the group.”
‘A clear message’
The resolution was submitted by France whose Ambassador, Nicolas de Rivière, said it “delivers a clear message.”
“There is no military solution to the conflict in the east of the DRC,” he said. “The offensive carried out by the M23 supported by Rwanda must be put to an end.”
The situation in the mineral-rich region has deteriorated since January as M23 fighters advance across North and South Kivu provinces, with the crisis spreading to Ituri.
They have captured the main cities of Goma and Bukavu. Thousands of people have been killed and even more displaced, including to neighbouring countries such as Burundi.
Allow aid access
The resolution strongly condemned all attacks directed against civilians and infrastructure, including UN, humanitarian and medical personnel.
It also condemned summary executions and maiming, sexual and gender-based violence, human trafficking and the recruitment and use of children.
The Council demanded all parties to allow and facilitate safe, immediate and unhindered humanitarian access to all people in need, as well as the restoration of basic services such as healthcare, water, electricity and communications.
Ambassadors also reaffirmed full support to the UN mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, and stressed that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes.