Source: United Nations (video statements)
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa said the evolution of the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has not matched the progress achieved on the diplomatic front.
Addressing the Security Council today (22 Aug), Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee said, “Regrettably, the evolution of the security situation on the ground has not matched the progress achieved on the diplomatic front, while the parties are yet to comply with their obligations under Security Council resolution 2773.”
She continued, “The number of civilian casualties has risen dramatically. Humanitarian workers are risking their lives to provide limited assistance to a population whose needs continue to grow. Conflict-related sexual violence persists, amid general indifference.”
She added, “The forced recruitment of children continues. As the school year is about to start, thousands of other children will be unable to go to school, because of insecurity. Despite a relative lull in direct clashes, the parties continue to deploy troops and transfer weapons along the front lines.”
She said, “Today, 5.9 million Congolese are internally displaced, including one million in North Kivu and 1.5 million in South Kivu. Families are repeatedly uprooted, caught in a cycle of fear and constant displacement. This relentless instability not only erodes social cohesion but threatens any prospect for long-term peace and recovery.”
She stressed, “The adoption by the DRC and Rwanda of the terms of reference of the Joint Oversight Committee, the Joint Coordination Mechanism of the Washington Agreement, and the declaration of principles for a regional economic integration framework, are encouraging. It should be emphasized, at the same time, that while commitment to process is welcome, it is no substitute for an actual cessation of hostilities on the ground and genuine steps to end the privations of conflict in eastern DRC.”
Also addressing the Council today, Zénon Mukongo Ngay, Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the United Nations, said, “Despite all these peace initiatives, we remain concerned, in light of recent developments, about the sincerity of Rwanda’s commitment and that of their AFC/M23 auxiliaries, who persist in trampling on their obligations under the Washington Peace Agreement and the Doha Declaration of Principles.”
Martin Ngoga, Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations said, “It is non-negotiable the territorial integrity of the DRC, so is the territorial integrity of neighbors of DRC, including Rwanda. And the territorial integrity and obligations of any member Country of the UN include fair treatment of citizens. Sovereignty comes along with obligations. The DRC must stop mistreating or treating part of their population as lesser than citizens.”