S/PV.10016 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Xia Huang, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2025/615, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region. I now give the floor to Mr. Xia Huang.

I am grateful for the opportunity to update the Council on the latest developments in the Great Lakes region. Since I last spoke in April (see S/PV.9899), important developments have been seen on the diplomatic front, ushering in a genuine hope of a ceasefire that could pave the way to a lasting and definitive settlement of the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. First of all, American facilitation enabled the signing of the Peace Agreement Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda on 27 June in Washington. I thank the United States for its crucial contribution to this significant stride forward. A number of meetings of the mechanisms created as part of the Agreement have since been held and have culminated in, among other measures, the adoption of an operational order for the implementation, as of 1 October, of the concept of operations for the neutralization of the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda and the lifting of the defensive measures taken by Rwanda. Next, I wish also to commend Qatar’s tireless efforts, which led to the signing of a declaration of principles on 19 July and an agreement on a prisoner exchange mechanism in early September. I hope that the subsequent round of negotiations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo authorities and the Mouvement du 23 Mars will resume promptly and lead to the conclusion of a comprehensive peace agreement. Lastly, at the initiative of the African Union, the African regional processes have been streamlined, enhancing their coordination and cohesion. To be specific, the joint summit of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), held on 13 August, endorsed the merger of the Nairobi and Luanda processes, which have been brought within the remit of the African Union-appointed mediator — the President of the Council of the Togolese Republic, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé — and are enjoying the support of a panel of five facilitators, consisting of former Heads of State, who are acting on behalf of the EAC-SADC. A joint technical secretariat, under the umbrella of the African Union Commission, is being set up in Addis Ababa. Amid that particularly disturbing backdrop, what more can be done to end the plight of communities and avert an exacerbation of the conflict and the destabilization of the entire Great Lakes subregion? Allow me to share some priorities that could help resolve the crisis if we all work together to achieve our shared objective: peace. First, an immediate, effective and unconditional ceasefire must be the overriding priority. I call on all parties on the ground to respect the relevant Council resolutions and the commitments made under the Washington Agreement and the Doha declaration of principles. Secondly, we must provide all the necessary political and technical support for the implementation of the Washington Agreement and the success of the Doha process. My Office, alongside the United Nations entities in the region, remains at the disposal of the parties and facilitators of both processes to support the implementation of the relevant provisions, particularly with regard to repatriating foreign armed groups, mobilizing resources and addressing the root causes of the conflict. I am pleased to underscore that there is an effort under way to coordinate the work of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the United Nations Office to the African Union, the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa and my Office, with a view to optimizing United Nations support for peace efforts, on the basis of our respective mandates and comparative advantages. We have an offer of comprehensive and complementary support for the efforts of African and international partners. I take this opportunity to welcome and encourage the ongoing discussions on regional economic cooperation, a promising aspect of the Washington process, aware that the issue of the illegal exploitation of natural resources is one of the structural causes of the crisis. On that issue, my Office intends to continue advocating for and providing technical support to the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region to strengthen traceability, accountability and transparency mechanisms for mineral supply chains in the region. My Office is also available to assist the parties and facilitators and to support or contribute our expertise to this new regional economic integration framework that is being developed. Thirdly, supplementary efforts are needed to ensure unified and effective African mediation. I intend to continue exercising the good offices of the Secretary-General, alongside my work to coordinate the efforts of international partners, including as part of the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes Region, in order to support the African Union in its peace efforts. In this regard, we will continue our exchanges with the African Union, both at the Commission level and with the leadership of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, in order to strengthen coordination and partnership between the African Union and the United Nations on resolving the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. I take this opportunity to reiterate my full willingness to support, upon request, the efforts of President Lourenço as Chairperson of the African Union, of President Gnassingbé Fourthly, it is important to highlight once more that there can be no lasting peace without seriously addressing the root and structural causes of the conflict. To that end, the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement remains a key tool, as reiterated by the countries of the region at the twelfth high-level meeting of the regional follow-up mechanism, held on 28 May in Uganda. I therefore intend to continue my efforts to revitalize the Framework Agreement, which will provide better follow-up and greater accountability for the implementation of the commitments undertaken. Need we recall that this year, we are celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of resolution 1325 (2000) on women and peace and security? The spirit of this resolution drives me to continue to work with the African Union’s Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, Ambassador Mulamula, with a view to strengthening the role of women in peace processes that are under way. In the same spirit, in collaboration with MONUSCO, my Office provided its support to the Mission in Kinshasa in July, through the facilitators and former Presidents, Ms. Catherine Samba-Panza and Ms. Sahle-Work Zewde, respectively in charge of questions concerning women’s inclusion, civil society and humanitarian issues on the panel. I am happy to note that preparations are under way for other missions in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region. The priorities that I have just listed seek to take advantage of the strengths, mandates and expertise of all involved, taking into account the complex dimensions of this conflict in their totality. I humbly ask Council members to support these efforts, to take the measure of the regional dimension of this conflict and to use their influence and all the leverage that they have as members of the Security Council to uphold the implementation of resolution 2773 (2025), which is their resolution. However, we must also acknowledge, as an international community, that all our actions and resolutions will have no impact on the ground if the parties themselves are not ready to make peace. That is why — and I will conclude with this — I call upon those who are most directly concerned, namely, the brotherly countries of the region, to resume direct and honest dialogue and to take all necessary measures to put an end to this war once and for all.

I thank Mr. Xia Huang for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

At the outset, I would like to thank the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, Mr. Xia Huang, for his remarks. We also thank him for his analysis and recommendations, which we support. At our previous biannual meeting (see S/PV.9899), the Executive Director of UNICEF, Ms. Catherine Russell, explained the dramatic impact of this conflict on civilian populations, in particular children. The acts of violence continue. We must not resign ourselves to that. In April, we were also briefed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Angola, Mr. Téte António, concerning regional peace efforts, on behalf the Angolan presidency of the African Union. We welcome the continued mediation by Togo, and we thank Presidents Lourenço and Gnassingbé for their efforts. France hails their role and those of the African Union and subregional organizations, whose involvement in the Washington and Doha processes is vital. In addition to France’s support for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, today I wish to emphasize three priorities in the light of the Special Envoy’s briefing. First, France once again condemns the attacks perpetrated by armed groups against civilians, the deterioration of the humanitarian and security situation and hate speech, and we call upon all armed groups to put an end to them. It is intolerable that we are still seeing the conclusion of peace agreements without follow-up. The resurgence of attacks perpetrated against civilians by armed groups, specifically the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) and the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda, is contributing to the deterioration of the already catastrophic humanitarian situation. The Da’esh-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces are stepping up their terrorist attacks against civilians in the Grand Nord and Ituri. In South Kivu, the M23 is threatening to encircle Uvira, on the border with Burundi. France calls for an end to hate speech, including that propagated by certain elements of the Wazalendo. The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) protection of civilians mission plays a key role. MONUSCO needs to have the necessary freedom of action and means tailored to the unimpeded implementation of its mandate, in its entire area of operation, including with regard to offensive steps to respond to abuses by armed groups. Let us keep this in mind in the coming weeks. There must be immediate progress in order to improve humanitarian access; to lift the obstacles to MONUSCO, including on the rotation of troops and the restrictions imposed on them; and to allow for the rehabilitation of the Goma and Bukavu airports. I wish to reiterate that France supports the ongoing mediation efforts and calls for renewed efforts to ensure concrete results with the immediate cessation of hostilities. The involvement of the Council and all regional and international partners is essential to urge the parties to honour their commitments under the Washington Agreement reached on 27 June and to respect resolution 2773 (2025), which was adopted unanimously by the Council. In this regard, I welcome the statement by the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, calling on the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) to lay down their arms and to surrender to the Congolese authorities or MONUSCO. This is an important step in the implementation of the plan to neutralize the FDLR, which must now be completed. Similarly, resolution 2773 (2025) must be fully implemented, particularly with regard to the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory and the end of their support for the M23. Lastly, the search for a lasting peace requires that no aspect of this conflict can be overlooked. As the Special Envoy pointed out, this involves addressing issues related to the illegal exploitation of natural resources, forced displacement, hate speech, the fight against impunity and respect for the law. We support the efforts of the United Nations to that end, as well as the contribution of civil society and the possibilities opened by the Washington Agreement. After decades of conflict, the belligerents must urgently meet the expectations of the people in order to achieve peace, security and stability in the Great Lakes region. The Council must resolutely support the efforts to bring an end to the hostilities,

I thank Special Envoy Xia for his briefing. I will make three points. First, the United Kingdom urges the parties in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo to continue to engage in good faith in the ongoing peace processes facilitated by the United States and Qatar. These processes, alongside leadership by the African Union, provide the best opportunity to deliver the peace, prosperity and security that the people of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo deserve. We thank all the facilitators for their efforts. Now it is time for the commitments to be implemented. Secondly, the United Kingdom calls on all parties in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo to protect civilians and to facilitate humanitarian access in accordance with international humanitarian law. The United Kingdom continues to support humanitarian efforts in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo through the provision of approximately $80 million of life-saving financial assistance this year. We are greatly concerned by continued reports of human rights violations and abuses, including conflict-related sexual violence, by the parties to the conflict and in particular by the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) and Wazalendo. We remind all parties of their obligations under international human rights law and humanitarian law, and the clear demands of the Council set out in resolution 2773 (2025). This includes the withdrawal of the Rwanda Defence Force from the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s territory. The United Kingdom emphasizes its full support for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and its leadership and looks forward to upcoming discussions on MONUSCO’s mandate. We stress that obstructions to MONUSCO’s operations, particularly in areas occupied by the M23, are unacceptable and must stop. Thirdly, the United Kingdom notes with concern the growing constraints on civil space and freedom of expression across the region, as highlighted in the most recent report of the Secretary-General (S/2025/615). We underscore the importance of safeguarding these fundamental rights, which are essential for inclusive governance, accountability and long-term stability, and we urge all countries in the Great Lakes region, but particularly those approaching elections, to make every effort to uphold civic space and to protect freedom of expression.

I extend my gratitude to Special Envoy Xia Huang for his insightful briefing. I also welcome the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to this meeting. We cannot expect to achieve stability in the Great Lakes region without addressing the ongoing and persistent insecurity in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Given the encouraging progress that has been made through continuing peace talks among all parties, even though at a first glance a diplomatic resolution seems to be difficult, it is by no means impossible. We sincerely hope that these efforts will soon culminate in a final peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda which will pave the way for lasting peace and stability in the region. We would like to highlight three points today. First, the Republic of Korea commends ongoing diplomatic efforts and agreements facilitated by the United States, Qatar and Togo, as the African Union (AU) facilitator, as well as the work of the AU Commission. In particular, we take note Secondly, we are particularly alarmed by the recent report of the Secretary- General (S/2025/615), which indicates that, from June to September, a total of 1,087 civilians, including 152 women and 86 children, were killed across Ituri and North Kivu. All parties to this conflict, including the M23 and affiliated groups and, of course, the regular forces, bear full responsibility for respecting and upholding international humanitarian law. We are deeply concerned that, as of the end of August, 5.3 million people are internally displaced, and more than 27 million people are facing food insecurity. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, 85 per cent of medical facilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are experiencing severe shortages of essential medicines. Making matters worse, a new Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was confirmed by the World Health Organization. To mitigate this multilayered humanitarian crisis, it is urgent that the international community pay greater attention to the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and take concrete measures, such as securing humanitarian corridors, to facilitate the timely delivery of assistance to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and alleviate its population’s acute suffering. Building on our support of $200 million that we provided to the Great Lakes region in 2024, the Republic of Korea will also continue to contribute by supporting various development cooperation programmes. Thirdly, combined efforts must continue to address the root causes of instability in the Great Lakes region. Above all, the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region continues to be crucial. We welcome the convening of the twelfth meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism in May, and we hope that steps to implement this Framework, which involves all 11 countries in the region, will continue to be taken. We also commend the ongoing internal dialogue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the voluntary initiatives by civil society aimed at fostering social cohesion. These efforts will provide a strong foundation for stability in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Lastly, the growing scale of the illegal exploitation of, and trade in, natural resources is an undeniable source of continuing instability and persistent regional tension. To address these concerns, we call for enhanced measures to ensure the transparency and traceability of mineral exports. In conclusion, the Republic of Korea affirms its unwavering support for Special Envoy Xia Huang and the regional organizations and remains firmly committed to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable peace and stability across the Great Lakes region. We acknowledge the commitment of the United Nations on the ground and welcome the efforts made by the African Union, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community to promote peace. Nonetheless, a dark shadow continues to hang over the region. In the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) and other militias continue to operate with impunity. In the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, 90 per cent of health centres lack medicine owing to looting, logistical disruptions and ongoing insecurity. In cities such as Goma, daily life has come to a standstill, trade has all but dried up, the banking system has collapsed, and essential services are in grave peril. Neighbouring countries, such as Uganda and Burundi, are receiving hundreds of thousands of displaced persons, putting their humanitarian and healthcare systems under enormous strain. Amid this state of affairs, Panama issues an urgent appeal for the international community to step up humanitarian assistance and to ensure safe access for aid workers and accountability for grave violations of international humanitarian law and human rights. We must not allow the civilian population to remain hostage to a protracted and brutal conflict. Notwithstanding that bleak picture, there has been encouraging diplomatic progress. The Peace Agreement Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda establishes clear commitments on border security, the demobilization of armed groups and economic cooperation. Since then, monitoring mechanisms such as the Joint Oversight Committee have been created to ensure compliance. Panama welcomes this historic step and encourages both parties to continue the dialogue and fully honour their commitments. We also underscore the role of Qatar in brokering the declaration of principles be­ tween the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/M23, which endorses the ceasefire and categorically rejects of the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Panama urges the M23 to honour that commitment and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to keep the dialogue chan­ nels open without countenancing the impunity of those responsible for serious crimes. The convergence of conflict, natural resources and climate change is compounding the situation. Changes in climate such as droughts, erratic rainfall and soil degradation are putting subsistence farming communities under increasing pressure, which is inflaming local disputes over land and water. Against that backdrop, illicit mineral trafficking chains are swelling the coffers of armed groups and undermining State legitimacy. Extraction operations are often opaque and lack traceability and environmental or social standards, which feeds into the dynamics of corruption and conflict. A case in point is the Ruzizi III project on the border between Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is aimed at boosting regional energy generation. However, this hydroelectric power plant is in grave danger owing to persistent insecurity, weak institutions, the risk of expropriation and the difficulty of attracting steady investment in such a volatile environment. Likewise, the women and peace and security agenda remains unfinished business. Genuine peace demands that women be acknowledged as key actors in prevention, reconciliation and social reconstruction. Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes must be gender-sensitive, address the specific experiences of women ex-combatants and survivors and give them access to psychosocial support, training and sustainable livelihoods. Panama underlines the importance of supporting the full implementation of the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda and the negotiations with the M23 through credible monitoring mechanisms and a sliding scale of sanctions for non-compliance. There is a vital need to strengthen the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region by providing it with resources, independence and technical integrity to coordinate with the African Union and other subregional mechanisms. The Council must also support a substantial increase in humanitarian resources to cover the urgent health, water, nutrition and shelter needs and to invest more in prevention, climate-resistant rural development projects, reforestation, management of water basins and sustainable food security. It is also urgent for States to ensure that verification and civil observation missions have unhindered access. United Nations reports and reports by regional mechanisms should incorporate independent audits and apply rigorous transparency standards. The Great Lakes region stands at a critical juncture. The risks of escalation and spillover into neighbouring countries are real, but so is the opportunity to act with multilateral will and perseverance.

I would like to start by thanking Special Envoy Xia for his comprehensive briefing. I would also like to welcome the participation of the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda in this meeting. The Great Lakes region stands at a critical moment. The offensive of the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) in North and South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to have grave humanitarian and security consequences. Cross-border tensions and a potential spillover of the conflict continue to affect regional stability. I would like to make three points. First, resolution 2773 (2025) must be implemented immediately, fully and unconditionally. The M23 must immediately cease hostilities and withdraw all troops from Goma, Bukavu and all other controlled areas. We reiterate our steadfast support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We align ourselves with the Secretary-General in urging all signatory countries of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region to uphold the principles of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all the States of the Great Lakes region and refrain from aiding, supporting or tolerating illegal armed groups. We commend the United States and Qatar for their peace facilitation efforts. We urge the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to accelerate the implementation of their commitments as provided by the Washington peace agreement. We also welcome the return to Doha of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)/M23 in late August. Secondly, we are deeply concerned about the exacerbation of an already dire humanitarian situation, as also described by Special Envoy Xia today. The continuous M23 offensive in both North and South Kivu has led to a further and mounting increase of internally displaced persons in the Great Lakes region. Food insecurity, recurring communicable diseases and natural disasters triggered by climate change remain major challenges in the region. We strongly condemn all human rights violations and abuses in the countries of the region, as reported by the Secretary- Thirdly, we commend the Special Envoy for his continuous good offices and for his engagement with leaders of the region in complementing and coordinating regional and international peace efforts. We also commend his Office for its advocacy, collaboration and engagement for a sustainable and transparent governance of natural resources in the Great Lakes region, especially in the mining sector. Strong regional cooperation, value chain integration and increased capacity-building with regard to mineral wealth can ensure prosperity, peace and security for the region. In conclusion, we align ourselves with the Secretary-General in his assessment that building trust and confidence among all the countries of the Great Lakes region is key to lasting peace, stability and prosperity. Greece will continue to engage constructively with all partners for this purpose, in the Security Council and bilaterally.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council plus (A3+), namely, Algeria, Guyana, Somalia and my own country, Sierra Leone. We express our sincere appreciation to Mr. Xia Huang, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, for his comprehensive briefing and continued active engagements in support of peace, security and stability in the region. We welcome the participation of the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda in this meeting. The A3+ commends the leaders of the region for convening the twelfth high-level meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, which led to the adoption of an action plan to revitalize the agreement. The A3+ also commends the steadfast efforts of both past and present leaders of the region to help to find a peaceful solution to the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The continued commitment of President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola, Chairperson of the African Union; President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé of Togo, the African Union mediator; and the members of the panel of facilitators is commendable. The A3+ calls on the Security Council and the wider international community to continue supporting the regional initiatives by aligning all international peace initiatives with the ongoing efforts of the African Union for peace. We highlight the continuing viability of the East African Community (EAC)-Southern African Development Community (SADC) road map for resolving the conflict, as we continue to uphold our firm support for the merged Luanda and Nairobi processes as decided by the EAC-SADC summit, and we urge Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to continue engaging fully in the process, prioritizing the peace, stability and development of the region. The A3+ is also encouraged by complementary international initiatives towards peace and commends United States mediation and the signing on 27 June of the United States-facilitated peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, and the subsequent meetings of the joint security cooperation mechanism and the joint oversight committee pursuant to the agreement. The A3+ also commends the mediation role of the State of Qatar and welcomes the signing of a declaration of principles by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/M23 on 19 July 2025 in Doha, and of the agreement regarding detainees. The A3+ deems it imperative to underscore the importance of ensuring coherence and complementarity among all peace initiatives. We emphasize that international engagements should reinforce African-led processes. We commend the leadership of the African Union Commission in guiding the consolidated mediation architecture and encourage sustained coordination with all regional and international partners to support the peace efforts of the continent. The A3+ shares the Secretary-General’s deep concerns about the reported violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/2025/615). The report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights fact-finding mission on the situation in North and South Kivu Provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (A/HRC/60/80) indicates that all parties to the conflict committed serious human rights violations and abuses that may constitute crimes under international humanitarian law. The A3+ strongly condemns these violations and stresses that the appalling outrage of sexual violence must stop, and perpetrators must be held accountable. The A3+ continues to express deep concern about the humanitarian situation in the region, marked by the displacement of millions of civilians who have been forced to leave their homes, as well as numerous incidents of sexual violence and the forced recruitment of children. Humanitarian access remains significantly disrupted in some areas, leaving displaced populations in desperate need of assistance. We call for unrestricted humanitarian access and urge the protection of civilians from attacks by armed groups. We further reiterate that the protection of civilians must be central to all efforts towards peace and stability in the region. We accordingly recognize the vital role of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at this defining moment in supporting the Congolese authorities and facilitating the protection of civilians in line with its mandate. We underscore the importance of adequate funding for the Mission, particularly during this vulnerable period. We commend efforts to advance the meaningful participation of women in political and peace processes. To achieve lasting peace, we must not forget to address the key drivers of instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region, such as the illicit exploitation of natural resources, underdevelopment and the current absence of full State presence and governance in affected areas. Curbing the illicit exploitation and trade of natural resources, which are both key drivers and consequences of conflict, remains critical. The A3+ therefore welcomes the continued efforts of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region to The A3+ expresses its full support for the implementation of the United Nations Strategy for Peace Consolidation in the Great Lakes Region. Our position remains firmly anchored in support for inclusive dialogue, guided by the principles of national ownership and African solutions to African challenges. In closing, we reaffirm our firm commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and all States of the region. The path to sustainable peace lies not in violence but in a political solution that is anchored in dialogue, support for regional peace and respect for international law.

I thank the Special Envoy, Mr. Xia Huang, for his briefing, which clearly demonstrated that the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and across the Great Lakes region continues to warrant our close attention. Denmark supports collective efforts to bring peace to the region. We commend the leadership of the United States and Qatar, of the President of Togo as the African Union mediator, as well as the East African Community–Southern African Development Community panel of facilitators. Both the Peace Agreement Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda, and the Doha declaration of principles provide important momentum. However, fighting on the ground continues and civilians need relief urgently. The most immediate objective remains an unconditional cessation of hostilities in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the full implementation of resolution 2773 (2025). We further recall the commitments made by Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to cease support for armed groups, respectively, the Mouvement du 23 mars and the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda and associated militias, and to implement the related concept of operations within the agreed timeline. In line with resolution 2773 (2025), we once again call on Rwanda to withdraw its troops from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are deeply concerned by the reported severe violations of international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, by all parties to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are especially appalled by the levels of sexual and gender-based violence taking place in a time of rapidly declining funding for organizations providing services to survivors. We also express concern over reports of violations and abuses of international human rights law in other countries of the Great Lakes region. These reports include arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, unlawful killings and restrictions on freedom of expression. We underline that accountability for violations of international law is central to the stability of the region and should be incorporated into all peace efforts, regardless of the affiliation of the alleged perpetrators. Finally, regarding the broader Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, we commend the recent adoption by the Regional Oversight Mechanism of an action plan to revitalize the Framework. At this time of renewed momentum, it is imperative that all countries in the region actively uphold their commitments under the Framework and contribute constructively to rebuilding trust. Their support for conflict resolution in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is critical to the success of ongoing peace efforts, including the Framework. We further highlight the prospects for peace through economic collaboration across the Great Lakes region, including with reference to the regional economic integration framework.

I thank the Special Envoy, Mr. Xia Huang, for his briefing and for his efforts to advance dialogue, coordination and peace across the region. His briefing today provided a picture of a region at a crossroads between the risk of prolonged instability and the promise of renewed cooperation. I wish to make three points. First, stability in the Great Lakes region rests on a shared commitment to regional peace, responsibility and full respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. These principles form the foundation on which trust, cooperation and durable security should be built. No peace can endure when borders are violated or when armed groups roam freely across them. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as of all other States in the region, must be respected in both word and deed. The implementation of the Peace Agreement Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda and the Doha declaration of principles, together with the convergence of regional mediation under African Union leadership, offers a viable path forward. We remain hopeful that these frameworks, if honoured, will lead to silencing the guns, rebuilding trust in the region and offering a peaceful future. Secondly, peace will not be durable unless the causes of recurring violence are addressed. The illicit exploitation of natural resources continues to finance armed groups, weaken and undermine governance, and deprive the region of its legitimate wealth. Combined with historical grievances and persistent ethnic tensions, this sustains a cycle of mistrust and conflict. The Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region remains essential for addressing these challenges. Both its revitalization and implementation are vital to transforming political commitments into credible action. We welcome efforts by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region to strengthen its regional certification mechanism, promote transparency and encourage responsible and lawful resource management. These steps remain crucial to restoring confidence between States and communities. Thirdly, people must remain at the heart of all efforts. The human toll in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is staggering. We are deeply concerned by the worsening humanitarian situation, marked by rising food insecurity, escalating violence, increasing conflict-related sexual violence, mass displacement and the collapse of essential services, which places further strain on already fragile systems, including health. We renew our call for the protection of civilians, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and full respect for international humanitarian and human rights law. Those responsible for violations, regardless of rank or affiliation, must be held accountable. Peace that does not safeguard lives and dignity cannot endure. Peace must also deliver opportunity. Empowering women and youth as genuine partners in peacebuilding and turning regional cooperation into tangible prospects for growth, decent work and sustainable development are essential to ensure that peace is not only achieved but also sustained. Slovenia believes that the region’s vast human and natural potential should be a source of prosperity rather than division. The choice is clear: to persist in mistrust or

We thank Special Envoy Xia Huang for his valuable briefing and reaffirm Pakistan’s support for his mandate. We take good note of the key priorities that he has enumerated. The Great Lakes region stands at a decisive juncture. In eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the situation continues to deteriorate. The advance of the Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement du 23 mars (AFC/M23) and the surge in Allied Democratic Forces attacks have intensified human suffering and the plight of civilians. As we have often said, there can be no military solution to this crisis. Pakistan calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and full implementation of resolution 2773 (2025). All armed groups, in particular M23, must cease hostilities, withdraw from illegally controlled areas, dismantle parallel structures and engage credibly in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) processes. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be fully upheld. Recent diplomatic initiatives offer a fragile but real opening for peace. We welcome the United States-facilitated Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda, the Doha declaration of principles mediated by Qatar and the African-led convergence of the Luanda and Nairobi tracks. These efforts must now translate into tangible progress. We commend President Faure Gnassingbé and the panel of co-facilitators for sustaining this momentum. The Special Envoy’s emphasis on unified and coordinated international mediation is most pertinent. The Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region remains an anchor for regional stability. The Regional Oversight Mechanism and its renewed action plan should guide collective action. Yet we are concerned that the ability of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to perform its vital mandate is being eroded by resource constraints. The Mission was already impacted by budget cuts. Further envisaged reductions of approximately 20 per cent in troops under contingency planning might irreversibly cripple the Mission. Conditions on the ground must drive the Mission’s adjustments, not just resource constraints. The Mission must be strengthened, not weakened, to ensure ceasefire verification, DDR support and civilian protection. M23 must also lift all restrictions on the freedom of movement of MONUSCO. Sustained peace also requires tackling root causes: illicit resource exploitation, governance gaps and cross-border criminal networks. Transforming the region’s mineral wealth into shared prosperity is essential to breaking the cycle of conflict in this region. Pakistan remains steadfast in its support for international and African-led initiatives with United Nations engagement. With coherence of these efforts around common ground and genuine commitment of the concerned parties, lasting peace in the Great Lakes region may still be within reach.

I thank Special Envoy Xia Huang for his briefing and welcome the Permanent Representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to this meeting. The root causes of conflicts in the Great Lakes region are complex and intertwined. The arbitrary demarcation in the colonial era severed ethnic ties and sowed the seeds of grievances in the region. The tragic events of the 1990s and the First, an immediate ceasefire is a top priority. The conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is a flashpoint of animosity in the region. Despite recent international efforts, the conflict has shown no sign of cessation. The Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) is still seeking military expansion, causing more civilian casualties. China is deeply concerned and urges M23 to cease fighting and withdraw its forces. The international community should push the parties concerned to implement Council resolution 2773 (2025), cease hostilities, protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have committed themselves to implementing the concept of peace operations, which is commendable. It is crucial that both sides demonstrate political will to honour their commitments. China welcomes the African Union-led diplomatic efforts and encourages President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo and President Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola to actively engage with all parties. We commend Special Envoy Xia Huang for his shuttle diplomacy. The Council should support a greater role for the Special Envoy in conflict resolution. China firmly stands for the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Secondly, strengthening mutual political trust is the foundation of peace. For a long time, countries in the region have been subject to intertwined grievances in addition to huge deficits in trust, which have torn apart regional consensus, pushing the region towards confrontation, division and even conflict. Countries of the region, as neighbours, should prioritize the common interests of the region and fulfil in good faith the commitments contained in the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, by mutually respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity and security concerns and ending support to anti-government armed groups. The international community should support countries of the region in strengthening dialogue, putting aside historical grievances, bridging the trust gap and emerging from the security dilemma. China welcomes Uganda’s hosting of the summit of the regional monitoring mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework, and calls on all parties to implement the action plan to inject momentum into the revitalization of the Framework. China supports the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in continuing to implement its mandate. Thirdly, a holistic approach is a long-term solution. The recurring conflicts in the region are not caused by security issues alone but are the result of multiple factors. All parties must adopt a holistic approach to help the region to solve problems such as governance deficits, unbalanced development, insufficient social inclusion and dire humanitarian situations, with a view to completely eliminating the root causes. Countries of the region should enhance mutually beneficial cooperation on mineral resources, jointly combat illegal mining and the cross-border smuggling of resources and cut off the financing channels of armed groups, so that these resources can truly become an engine for peace and development in the region. The resources should belong to the local people. Major Powers outside the region, when cooperating with the region, should respect its national sovereignty and the principles of equality, openness and mutual benefit, to benefit the local population, rather than using mineral resources as a tool in pursuit of geopolitical self-interest.

I thank Special Envoy Xia for his briefing. The United States remains committed to the implementation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo-Rwanda peace agreement, which President Trump is proud to have facilitated. We fully expect the timely implementation of all elements of the agreement to advance peace, stability and prosperity in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the broader Great Lakes region. Moreover, we expect the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to uphold their obligations not to engage in any hostile acts or rhetoric and to resolve disputes by peaceful means through the joint oversight committee, which has held three meetings to date. As Council members know, the agreement also stood up the joint security coordination mechanism, which, in its previous meeting, discussed turning the agreed upon concept of operations into a concrete operational plan. At the most recent joint oversight committee meeting, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda finalized the operation order submitted by the joint security coordination mechanism and confirmed 1 October as the start date for the order. At the joint oversight committee meeting, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda also committed to facilitate International Committee of the Red Cross access to all detainees. The United States would like to highlight our appreciation for the efforts of the African Union facilitation, under the Togolese Republic, and the African Union Commission in working towards the implementation of this peace agreement. Furthermore, we welcome Qatar’s ongoing efforts to mediate negotiations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement du 23 mars (M23), and we continue to lend our full support to this effort. It is critical for the stability of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, however, that these negotiations reach a successful conclusion. We expect the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23 to act in good faith in these negotiations and to uphold the declaration of principles which they have already signed and in which both sides committed to a permanent ceasefire. The United States looks to all other armed groups to cease their killings and turn to peaceful means to resolve their differences. The United States will hold spoilers to peace accountable and expect Council members to do the same.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the Russian Federation. I thank Mr. Xia Huang, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region, for his briefing. We welcome the participation of the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda in this meeting. To our deep regret, the situation in the Great Lakes region continues to deteriorate owing to the ongoing crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite international efforts to facilitate the stabilization of the crisis and to help to resolve it through diplomatic means, the situation on the ground in the eastern provinces of the The stalemate in the diplomatic process, specifically over the implementation of mutual obligations, is once again pushing the Great Lakes region towards a real inter-State armed confrontation. We would like to reiterate that we are following with particular concern the developments in South Kivu, where the city of Uvira, on the border with Burundi, is under threat of encirclement and attack by the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) group. Further escalation is unacceptable. We call for a ceasefire and a focus on real steps to resolve the crisis. The political options for stabilizing the situation are well known to all. They require, first and foremost, the implementation of resolution 2773 (2025), compliance with the mutual obligations enshrined in the peace agreement signed in Washington and compliance with the agreements reached under Qatari mediation in Doha. We welcome the outcomes of the latest round of negotiations in the capital of Qatar this past September. We note the agreement regulating the exchange of detainees. We hope that it will be constructively implemented as one of the steps towards building trust among the stakeholders. We would like to emphasize once again that one of the fundamental conditions for a long-term settlement of the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and for the improvement of the regional situation as a whole is the cessation of any State interaction with illegal armed groups. This applies to both the M23 and the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda. Only by taking real steps in this direction and by jointly combating these groups can the region establish lasting peace and stability and restore normal life for millions of ordinary civilians. We support the efforts of Xia Huang, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, to advance this objective. We note his efforts which are geared, first and foremost, towards reducing the degree of inter-State tensions in the region. To conclude, we would like to call on Kigali and Kinshasa to demonstrate political wisdom and to confirm, through their actions, their commitment to complying with their mutual obligations. Promoting military options will not address the root causes of the crisis and risks only aggravating the situation in this part of Africa. This is definitely not in line with the interests of the States in the region and the civilian population. Russia, as do the people of Africa themselves, wishes to see a peaceful and stable Great Lakes region. Only under these conditions can the States of the region truly unlock their economic potential and work together to develop mutually beneficial cooperation and overcome the grim legacy of the colonial era. We will further contribute to international efforts to restore a constructive dialogue among all countries in the region. In our work, including through the Council, we will help to forge balanced and long-term solutions to the challenges facing the Great Lakes region, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and by taking into account the fundamental interests of our African friends. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Allow me to pay tribute to the Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr António Guterres, for his involvement in the peace efforts in the Great Lakes region. Finally, I would like to thank His Excellency Ambassador Xia Huang, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, for the clarity of his briefing this morning. The security situation prevailing in the Great Lakes region is hardly promising, as is clearly indicated in the Secretary-General’s report of 1 October 2025 (S/2025/615), which is before the Council. From paragraph 1 to 12, the report paints a bleak picture of the continuing deterioration of the security situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with, in particular, the resurgence of tensions in South Kivu, particularly in Uvira, a town on the shores of Lake Tanganyika that lies opposite the Republic of Burundi. It is here that all the cross-border tensions between the various countries of the Great Lakes are concentrated, making this region a smoking volcano that could erupt at any moment. Beyond these tensions, the truth on the ground is as described in various reports of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in those of the Secretary-General on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reports of which the Council is apprised. Let me recall that, in resolution 2773 (2025), adopted on 21 February, the Council decided that the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)/Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) must withdraw from Goma, Bukavu and all controlled areas and dismantle in their entirety the illegitimate parallel administrations set up on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Council also called on the Rwanda Defence Force to cease all support for the M23 and to withdraw immediately from the Democratic Republic of the Congo territory, without preconditions. Although the implementation of the provisions of this resolution has yet to materialize, we welcome the ongoing diplomatic efforts within the framework of the Washington and Doha processes. Despite all these peace initiatives, in the light of recent developments, we remain concerned about the sincerity of the commitment of Rwanda and their AFC/M23 supporters, who persist in flouting their commitments under the Peace Agreement Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda and the Doha declaration of principles. I will mention a few examples of this. First, a short while ago, we announced that during the month of July, more than 300 Congolese civilians were killed in several localities in Rutshuru territory, North Kivu, following attacks by the M23, in flagrant violation of the ceasefire reaffirmed in the Doha declaration of principles of 19 July and the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda of 27 June. Secondly, even today, more than 272 cases of assassination and summary execution; more than 300 cases of rape; more than 300 cases of physical torture, including of schoolchildren; cases of arbitrary arrest in inhuman conditions; hundreds of cases of abduction and forced recruitment; organized crimes in Chanzu and Rumangabo against Congolese youth, under the guise of forced military training have been reported. These crimes were committed during the months of September and October. Fourthly, the latest report (S/2025/446) by the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo incontrovertibly highlights the structural link between the M23 and Rwanda. It also establishes that Rwanda maintains active support — military, logistical and operational — for this armed movement, which directly fuels the continuation of massacres, provokes massive forced population displacements and accentuates the persistent destabilization of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Still on the subject of diplomatic efforts, the Democratic Republic of the Congo also supports efforts to streamline and consolidate the Africa-led mediation processes, as well as the need to ensure complementarity and harmonization between these processes and the other initiatives led by Qatar and the United States, as emphasized in the final communiqué of the SADC Heads of State summit held in Antananarivo on 17 August. This is the appropriate forum to assure the Council of my country’s commitment to continuing the work under way on implementing the Washington Agreement in line with the Doha declaration of principles. In the first instance, as mentioned in paragraph 16 of the Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/615) and the Doha report, the Joint Oversight Committee set up on 31 July in Washington, D.C., and the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism set up in Addis Ababa on 7 August and 8 are all hard at work. On the Doha side, discussions on the implementation of the prerequisites are still under way. At this stage, a prisoner exchange mechanism has been set up, under which the International Committee of the Red Cross will facilitate the identification, verification and safe release of detainees on both sides. I would like to point out, however, in view of the unfortunate realities we are observing on the ground that — paraphrasing the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo  — the cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of Rwandan troops, the end of their support for the M23 and the return of Congolese State authority over all occupied zones are non-negotiable conditions for genuine peace. With regard to the illegal exploitation of the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, my Government reiterates its call for the establishment of a mechanism similar to the Kimberley Process to manage gold from conflict zones, in order to put an end to this parallel economy, which fuels violence. My Government, which endorses the recommendations of the Khartoum workshop of 2 September 2021 on natural resources in the Great Lakes region, is ready to participate actively in discussions to set up such a process in order to eradicate this scourge. Promoting the sustainable and transparent management of natural resources remains a key priority for my Government, as it is one of the tools that will enable us to efficiently tackle the root causes of conflict in the Great Lakes. During the twelfth meeting of the Regional Follow-up Mechanism, which took place in Entebbe, Uganda, on 28 May, the Heads of State of the member countries of the Mechanism examined the independent assessment of the implementation of the draft action plan for the revitalization of the of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, adopted on For my Government, now that the action plan has been adopted and its relevance reaffirmed, the time has come for action. Our hope is that the Democratic Republic of the Congo will no longer be the only country in the region to respect its commitments under the Framework agreement, as has been the case in the past. I would like to conclude by reassuring the Council of my Government’s readiness to work for lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and throughout the Great Lakes region. But to achieve this, the Council will need to ensure the involvement of all the other players and signatories to the Framework agreement.

I now give the floor to the representative of Rwanda.

Allow me to begin by congratulating you, Mr. President, on your leadership of the Security Council this month. I thank the Special Envoy for his briefing on the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region. I also thank the delegations that spoke before me for their statements. I wish to commend the Secretary-General and the Special Envoy for accurately reflecting, in paragraphs 14 to 21 of the report (S/2025/615), the ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution of the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. I would like to recall paragraph 14, which notes that, “In March, in consultation with Qatar, the United States of America launched an initiative to facilitate a political solution to the crisis between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The process culminated in the signing in Washington, D.C., on 27 June, of a peace agreement by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The agreement built on a declaration of principles signed by the two Ministers on 25 April and a concept of operations for the harmonized plan for the neutralization of FDLR and the disengagement of forces, which was elaborated in October 2024 in the framework of Luanda process, which was led by Angola. The parties committed to: a prohibition on hostilities; respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both States; the cessation of support for armed groups; the disengagement, disarmament and conditional integration of non-State armed groups; peaceful dispute resolution; the return of refugees and internally displaced persons; and the establishment of a joint security coordination mechanism and a joint oversight committee. Under the agreement, the parties also committed to advancing the implementation of Security Council resolution 2773 (2025).” (S/2025/615, para. 14) I quoted this in particular because it provided the detail that the Security Council needs so that we can harmonize our interventions here with what our two countries have agreed on how to resolve the problem between us, because at times I can see either insufficient information on the progress in Washington, D.C. before the Council or there is a mismatch. And I would like to request that the representative of the United States consider briefing the Council about the progress we are making so that we are able to harmonize the interventions of the Council and the progress in the negotiations, because that is what will help the Council to sufficiently support the process. Therefore, between the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we have agreed on how to resolve our differences, and we request the Council to support us in that process. Rwanda will implement its commitments within the framework of the Peace Agreement Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda, and we shall continue to support the Doha process. Rwanda reiterates its All I am doing here is reiterating that there is an Agreement between our two countries that we made within our sovereign competencies, with the helped of the United States, Qatar and the African Union. We need the Security Council’s support. And we need the Council to give us the chance to implement the Agreement as it is and not to intervene in a way that may complicate that process or create deviations. There is a need for that harmonization. In conclusion, I note the report and what it indicated with regard to hate speech. I note what it reported with regard to the question of the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda, which is not a question about resources but rather a question about the existential threat it poses to Rwanda, through its intent to commit genocide and its past when it was involved in the genocide. I note what it reported with regard to the question of the presence of mercenaries and the situation of refugees who, for the past 28 years, have been in refugee camps. None of the refugees owned a mining site; they were people who were grazing cattle, as that was their lifestyle, but they have been in refugee camps for 28 years. I note what it reported with regard to the attacks on civilian areas, in Mwenga in particular, and the continued targeting of hate speech towards Tutsis in the area of Uvira and in other parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On all of these points, because we were before the Council not long ago (see S/PV.10008), we stand by the statements we made before the Council.