Briefing Security Council, Special Representative Urges More Support to Protect Civilians in Democratic Republic of Congo, as Humanitarian Crisis Escalates
Armed groups’ activities in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to pose security challenges and exacerbate a humanitarian situation, with 6 million people displaced, the top United Nations official in the country told the Security Council today as she called on regional stakeholders to support the Nairobi and Luanda processes and ensure the protection of civilians.
Presenting the Secretary-General’s latest report (document S/2023/691), Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), said insecurity has continued to plague the country’s eastern part and requires ongoing efforts to protect civilians. The 23 March Movement (M23) crisis continues to stoke anger among the population and to increase tensions between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.
Pointing to M23 control of strategic communication points and blocking of MONUSCO missions to Rumangabo, she said various security challenges continue to fuel a dramatic humanitarian situation in the east. “MONUSCO is committed to supporting regional political processes, which offer the only credible solution to the current conflicts,” she stressed, adding that all regional stakeholders must be encouraged to actively support the Nairobi and Luanda processes and ensure that their deployments enhance the protection of civilians.
Michel Xavier Biang (Gabon), Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said that its two consultations in 2022 and five in 2023, held since 30 September 2022, included presentations by the Coordinator of the Group of Experts on the Group’s mid-term and final reports. In late 2022, Committee members met an official of the country’s monitoring mechanism, reaffirming their support for that tool, which is aiding Government authorities’ investigation of the March 2017 murders of two former members of the Group of Experts and the four Congolese citizens accompanying them, he said.
Anny Tenga Modi, Executive Director and Co-Founder of AFIA MAMA, a non-profit youth-led organization on women’s health, noting that 35,000 cases of sexual violence were reported between January and June 2023, said UN agencies, among other actors, must provide support to awareness-raising programmes on “positive masculinity” for former combatants and strengthen participation of women’s initiatives in the Nairobi and Luanda processes. She also called on donors to finance prevention programmes and urged the Government to ensure the effectiveness of the national reparations fund for victims of sexual violence in conflict.
In the ensuing discussion, speakers underscored the importance of responding to the host country’s expectations around the accelerated withdrawal of MONUSCO, stressing the need for well-coordinated cooperation among all stakeholders. Several delegates called on M23 and other armed groups to withdraw and parties to implement the Luanda and Nairobi processes, while others stressed the Congolese Government’s responsibility to protect civilians and ensure its readiness in preparation for the country’s general elections and the Mission’s departure.
Ghana’s representative, speaking also for Gabon and Mozambique, said close cooperation between the Congolese authorities, MONUSCO and relevant stakeholders will help ensure a smooth, orderly, progressive and coordinated withdrawal that protects civilians and the safety and security of Mission personnel. He invited all partners to provide financial, material and technical support to the country as it implements the Demobilization, Disarmament, Community Recovery and Stabilization Programme for ex-combatants, security sector reform and the training and capacity-building of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC).
Japan’s representative, on that note, voiced support for the Government’s efforts to develop community policing. The Mission’s responsible withdrawal must also be accompanied by the concomitant establishment of an effective presence of State authorities ensuring the rule of law, she added.
Several speakers expressed alarm about growing tensions in the east of the country and armed groups’ continued presence, with France’s representative calling on M23 to withdraw and take part in the cantonment process. Echoing other delegates, he stressed that Rwanda’s military support for M23 and the persistent presence of Rwandan soldiers in Congolese territory must end. To enable the Mission to carry out its mandate until its withdrawal, he proposed that the Council adopt a presidential statement in that regard.
The representative of the United States, meanwhile, voiced concern that the Democratic Republic of the Congo and regional security forces are not prepared to meet the Congolese people’s security requirements. The Secretary-General’s transition plan relied heavily on the East African Community (EAC) Regional Force to backfill the Mission, she pointed out, stressing the need for appropriate safeguards to be put in place with respect to human rights and accountability.
Among speakers who underscored the importance of regional cooperation, as well as the holding of peaceful, transparent and inclusive elections, was China’s representative, who stressed that the stability of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo bears on the overall security of the Great Lakes region. The general elections at the end of 2023 will be a milestone in the country’s political and peace processes, he said, voicing support for the Mission’s assistance in election preparations, as well as protection of civilians.
Christophe Lutundula Apala Pen’apala, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, attributing the security crisis in the eastern part of his country to criminal acts, notably by M23 supported by Rwanda, called once again for the withdrawal of Rwanda and M23 troops. His Government moved up the start of the Mission’s withdrawal from the end of 2024 to the end of 2023, he added, noting that its proposal was a tactical reorganization aimed at diffusing tensions between MONUSCO and civilians; preventing the recurrence of violent incidents; and ensuring the dignified exit of MONUSCO, among others.
On the contrary, Rwanda’s representative said Kinshasa must address the root causes of the conflict rather than “scapegoating Rwanda”. The disruptive behaviour of these armed forces, in alliance with Kinshasa’s army, threatens to undermine any positive regional initiatives, he emphasized, stating: “Rwanda gains no benefit from an insecure [Democratic Republic of the Congo].” Actions by certain external Powers to please Kinshasa, in pursuit of their economic interest and at Rwanda’s expense, are aggravating the situation, he added, stressing: “This is the paramount issue that demands the Council’s attention.”
https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15426.doc.htm
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