Briefers tell Security Council that despite political progress, ceasefire remains, ‘frightening’ challenges persist and sexual violence continues in Democratic Republic of Congo – Democratic Republic of Congo

9736th meeting (AM)

SC/15839

The Head of Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlighted a marked reduction in fighting between Rwandan and Congolese forces following a recent ceasefire agreement and called for continued involvement of member states in peacebuilding efforts, amid the phased withdrawal of the mission and a still weak security situation. situation.

“We must remain collectively committed to helping the country on its path to peace and stability,” emphasized Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary General and Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). . She noted the country’s increasing political progress and mentioned the creation of new national institutions since the December 2023 elections and the opening of the autumn session of Parliament.

At the regional level, she reported that negotiations on the Luanda Process are continuing, together with the training of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s armed forces. Nevertheless, “daunting challenges remain,” she pointed out. Donors have contributed more than $1 billion in humanitarian assistance, but with needs accelerating, projected funding levels will be lower than the nearly $2.6 billion needed to help the 8.7 million most vulnerable people in 2024.

Detailing the competition for natural resource exploitation and trade in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, she cited increased violence in Ituri, as well as the consolidation of M23’s administrative control over parts of North Kivu. Other challenges include eliminating the threat in North Kivu and Ituri posed by the allied Democratic Forces, which have intensified attacks on civilians over the past three months, “exploiting the vacuum created by the redeployment of the Congolese Armed Forces to fight the M23,” she noted.

She highlighted other challenges, including 2.4 million new people displaced since early 2024, the outbreak of MPOX and sexual and gender-based violence, and urged national, regional and international mobilization to support the Congolese people as they confirmed MONUSCO’s continued involvement. “MONUSCO is leaving (…) but until our very last day we will continue to protect civilians, support meaningful peace initiatives, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and assist the Congolese state in its stabilization efforts,” she declared.

Thérèse Nzale-Kove, program officer of the Center for Congolese Women, also informed the Council. She reported on the impact of the current humanitarian crisis on women, girls and children. Their effective participation in the various processes of peacekeeping, peacebuilding and peace negotiations remains very low, she pointed out, emphasizing that women in civil society must be able to participate fully and meaningfully in all aspects of the current peace processes, including the Nairobi and Luanda processes. as well as other regional spaces.

With more than 90,000 cases of sexual violence documented last year alone, including nearly 300 women and girls gang-raped in Makala Prison in Kinshasa, it is clear that women and girls are not being protected, she noted. The Council should, among other things, adopt binding measures for all parties to tackle the scourge of sexual and gender-based violence, and ensure that MONUSCO and the Government carry out regular and meaningful consultations with women civil society organizations at all stages of the transition.

Michael Imran Kanu (Sierra Leone), Chairman of the Security Council Committee established under Resolution 1533 (2004) on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, then provided an update on the Committee’s work, reporting that, among other things, the Committee held three informal consultations for the remainder of 2023, including by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict; the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; and the coordinator of the expert group.

He further reported that to date in 2024, the Committee has held several meetings, including with the Coordinator of the Group of Experts, and has received briefings on natural resources from the Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, a representative of the Center for Responsible Business of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

In the ensuing discussion, Council members welcomed the ceasefire reached between the Government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Congo and Rwanda on July 30, mediated by President João Lourenço of Angola, as many also expressed support for the processes of Luanda and Nairobi in resolving the conflict. .

“We must all be ready to support Angola’s efforts,” the French representative stressed, pointing to his country’s support of 22 million euros in humanitarian aid and President Emmanuel Macron’s regular talks with Democratic President Thisekedo Republic of Congo and President Kagame of Rwanda.

Noting that peace is not only the absence of war, but also “breaking the cycle of violence and fighting impunity,” the Swiss representative stressed: “The Congolese people want peace.” The representative of Ecuador expressed concern that violations of humanitarian law had not been curbed.

The representative of the Republic of Korea joined other countries in expressing concern that women and girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo face the highest rates of sexual violence worldwide. He said his country will contribute $5 million to support survivors of gender-based violence. .

Many speakers, including the Chinese representative, also raised the alarm over the resurgence of the mpox virus and its alarming increase among children, with the representative of Sierra Leone – who also spoke on behalf of Algeria, Guyana and Mozambique – reporting that according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: There are only 200,000 vaccines available, while 10 million doses are needed to stop the spread.

The representative of the United Kingdom then announced that his Government is finalizing a new support package for the MPOX response. Noting that the Council is approaching the annual renewal of MONUSCO’s mandate, he encouraged the Mission to learn lessons from the withdrawal from South Kivu. “The protection of civilians must remain a priority,” he stressed.

While many States welcomed the completion of the first phase of the MINUSCOS withdrawal plan, the representative of the United States noted that the mission’s departure from South Kivu has left critical gaps that cannot be left unfilled. The Council should not approve further MINUSCO withdrawal without a clear plan to close these gaps, she said.

From a different perspective, Malta’s representative noted that the crisis remains inextricably linked to the country’s rich national resources. “If revenues are shared fairly with local people,” he said, “we can free the region from the cycle of poverty and despair.”

The representative of the Russian Federation noted that the infiltration of the March 23 Movement/M23 in South Kivu testifies to the weakness of the situation. She called for increased support to the SADC mission in the country, underscoring the need to avoid a security vacuum.

Stressing that the Luanda Process is “essential” for the restoration of peace in his country and the region, the representative of the Democratic Republic of Congo called for the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops from his country’s territory. He also called for targeted sanctions against Rwanda, the main cause of destabilization in the Great Lakes, and asked the Council to establish a sanctions regime applicable to Rwanda and its leaders and all individuals involved.

He also stated that MONUSCO will be withdrawn where it is no longer needed and that its transition activities must now be consolidated. His government will pursue disarmament and demobilization to reintegrate the fighters by offering them viable economic prospects. The demobilization, disarmament, community rehabilitation and stabilization program is “a crucial lever for peace” and needs MONUSCO’s support, he stressed.

Nevertheless, Angola’s delegate pointed out that there are signs of hope in the “substantial steps” taken in the revitalization of the Luanda Process and in the withdrawal of MONUSCO, noting that he was encouraged by the commitment of the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo. and Rwanda to find a political solution for the east, including the countries signing a ceasefire in July. The next ministerial meeting in October aims to agree on a summit of heads of state that could “seal a final peace” and normalize diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The representative of Rwanda then said that current strategies should be reviewed to identify the root causes of the conflict. “The serious threat posed by the integration, arming, training and financing by the Congolese forces of the FDLR” (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda) cannot be overlooked, and reports downplaying their cooperation are “not only a danger to regional peace but directly to Rwanda”. MONUSCO’s failure to address this issue calls into question “its commitment to ensuring genuine peace in the region,” he stressed.

He praised Angola’s mediation efforts and said the future lies in diplomatic, not military, solutions. The Democratic Republic of Congo must demonstrate its commitment to peace by fully engaging in the Nairobi and Luanda processes, ending its support for the FDLR, ending hate speech and violence against Congolese Tutsi communities and safe organizing the return of Congolese refugees as a building block for peace.

The delegate of the Democratic Republic of Congo refuted that position, underlining that his country is not the only party that has an obligation to address the situation, as Rwanda has invaded his country and has more than 4,500 troops committing serious human rights violations in the country commit. “The problem is not with the FDLR, nor with hate speech; the problem has to do with the plundering of the DRC’s resources,” he said.

For information media. No official record.