S/PV.10063 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Security Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to participate in this meeting. On behalf of the Council, I welcome Her Excellency Ms. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In accordance with rule 39 of the Security Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Jean- Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations; and Mr. Mohamed Javid Abdelmoneim, International President of Médecins sans frontières. 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/2025/779, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At this meeting, the Council will hear briefings by Mr. Lacroix; Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu, Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone, in his capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and Mr. Javid Abdelmoneim. I now give the floor to Mr. Lacroix.

I thank you, Mr. President, for this opportunity to brief the Security Council on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and on the activities of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), on the eve of the Council’s deliberations on the renewal of the operation’s mandate. I would also like to welcome the presence of Her Excellency Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and that of the representatives of the Republic of Rwanda and of Burundi. In addition, I welcome the participation of Sierra Leone in its capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and that of Mr. Mohamed Javid Abdelmoneim, International President of Médecins sans frontières. As indicated in the Secretary-General’s most recent report (S/2025/779), the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to face a security and humanitarian crisis, with the civilian populations in the affected areas bearing the brunt of the suffering. In recent days, the new offensive launched by the Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement du 23 mars (AFC/M23) in South Kivu has raised the spectre of a regional conflagration with incalculable consequences. Recent developments pose a serious risk of gradual fragmentation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in the east of the country. The territorial expansion of the AFC/M23, the establishment of parallel administrations and the weakening of the State’s presence in certain areas are fuelling a dynamic that directly threatens the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the same time, the conflict is increasingly spilling over to the larger region. The direct or indirect involvement of armed forces and groups from neighbouring countries and the cross- border movements of displaced populations and combatants are significantly increasing the risk of a regional conflagration. This development threatens not only the stability of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, but also that of the entire Great Lakes region. In recent months, however, significant diplomatic progress had been made. The signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda on 4 December, the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement concluded on 15 November between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the AFC/M23 and the 14 October agreement establishing a joint ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism all attest to the strong regional and international mobilization to bring about political solutions aimed at establishing a lasting peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. I take this opportunity to commend the commitment of Qatar, the United States of America and the African Union mediator, His Excellency Faure Gnassingbé, who made these advances possible. I reaffirm the full support of the United Nations, in particular MONUSCO, for the ongoing peace efforts. Recent developments in South Kivu clearly illustrate the gap between diplomatic efforts and the reality experienced by civilian populations affected by the ongoing hostilities. In this context, the unconditional implementation of resolution 2773 (2025), which calls, inter alia, for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and for the parties to respect the commitments made in the Washington and Doha processes, remains essential if diplomatic progress is finally to translate into tangible improvements on the ground. While recent diplomatic advances have sparked genuine hope, persistent violations of the ceasefire and the resumption of hostilities pose a real risk of undermining ongoing diplomatic efforts. The growing gap between political commitments and their effective implementation on the ground undermines the credibility of the peace process, weakens trust between the parties and fuels the sense of abandonment felt by the civilian population. Without concrete and immediate measures to enforce the agreements reached, the dynamics of the conflict risk closing the door to dialogue. (spoke in English) In South Kivu, which is no longer within MONUSCO’s area of operations, the AFC/M23’s advances in Uvira territory and its reported capture of Uvira town on 9 December, with the alleged support of the Rwanda Defence Force, have triggered a major military escalation just days after the signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity. Congolese forces, alongside Burundian forces and local Wazalendo militia, have reportedly engaged in large-scale hostilities involving the use of heavy artillery and air power. These clashes have resulted in military and civilian casualties, the destruction of infrastructure and significant population displacement, including into neighbouring Burundi and Rwanda. In North Kivu, the AFC/M23 has continued to pursue its strategy of territorial expansion and further consolidation of parallel administration in areas under its control in clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Meanwhile, across North Kivu and Ituri, civilians continue face grave threats from a range of armed groups, both foreign and Congolese. In Lubero territory, in North Kivu, the Allied Democratic Forces killed at least 132 civilians during the month of November alone. In Ituri, fighters from the Coopérative pour le développement du Congo, Zaïre and Convention pour la révolution populaire continue to operate near major displacement camps, where MONUSCO is alone in providing direct physical protection for more than 100,000 displaced persons. Since Special Representative of the Secretary-General Keita’s most recent briefing to the Council (see S/PV.10008), the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has continued to document numerous grave violations and abuses, including conflict-related sexual violence committed by armed groups and State actors. Women and children are disproportionately affected, and cases of forced displacement, sexual violence, arbitrary killings and abductions remain widespread. In areas under AFC/M23 control, restrictions on MONUSCO’s access continue to impede its ability to fully monitor, investigate and report on violations, as mandated by the Council. (spoke in French) In that setting, which is marked by mounting threats, the prevention of violence against civilian populations is a central pillar of MONUSCO’s work. In North Kivu and Ituri alike, the Mission has stepped up its preventive approach, which relies on a deterrent presence, risk anticipation and close engagement with the communities. In Ituri, where the armed groups are operating in the immediate vicinity of displaced people’s sites, MONUSCO is maintaining daily patrols and community alert mechanisms, which have allowed for a number of attacks to be prevented and particularly vulnerable areas to be protected. In North Kivu, the Mission continues to introduce early warning systems and enhanced mobile patrols, in particular in areas vulnerable to the expansion of the AFC/M23 and targeted attacks by the ADF. MONUSCO is also ensuring that it remains in constant dialogue with the communities, including women and youth, to ensure that the protection provided fully meets their needs and situation on the ground. (spoke in English) The humanitarian situation is equally alarming. Continued hostilities, repeated waves of displacement, the ongoing closure of Goma and Kavumu airports and shrinking humanitarian access have compounded an already severe crisis. Approximately 5.35 million people are displaced within the country. Since January alone, 2.68 million people have been newly displaced, while 2.9 million have returned — forcibly or voluntarily. More than 24 million people face acute food insecurity. At the same time, humanitarian agencies are facing crippling funding shortfalls. As of today, the humanitarian response plan for the Democratic Republic of the Congo is only 22 per cent funded. The consequences of these funding gaps are devastating. In this challenging environment, MONUSCO has remained undeterred in its determination to deliver on its mandated priority tasks, amid numerous constraints, both operational and financial. The implementation of the contingency measures, aimed at managing the peacekeeping-wide liquidity crisis, is now largely completed. The Mission has taken every possible step to mitigate the impact of these measures on its ability to protect civilians in its area of operations and deliver on other mandated priority tasks. To this end, the Mission has sought to enhance the mobility of its remaining units and increase joint patrols with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and the Congolese National Police in Ituri, while striving to maintain a robust presence around vulnerable internally displaced persons (IDPs) sites. MONUSCO’s police component also continues to reinforce accountability and community policing, notably through strengthened cooperation with the General Inspectorate of the Congolese National Police. Nonetheless, the unavoidable reduction in uniformed and civilian personnel required to keep the Mission financially afloat will have an inevitable impact on its rapid response capacity and operational reach. In Ituri, the Mission remains the primary source of physical protection for approximately 100,000 people living in IDP sites within the immediate vicinity of MONUSCO bases. Efforts to reintegrate ex-combatants through community-based initiatives continue as part of the broader effort to create a protective environment for civilians in the province. In Tchomia, Djugu territory, MONUSCO, working with the Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Programme, has launched a project that supports 257 people, including 89 ex-combatants, through vocational training and community work, strengthening food security and social cohesion. In Grand Nord, North Kivu, MONUSCO peacekeepers regularly conduct joint patrols with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, deter armed group activity and sustain a protective presence along key roads and access routes. In Goma, the AFC/M23’s restrictions on the supply of fuel, water and electricity continue to pose a significant challenge for MONUSCO and its personnel. While the recent release of several impounded diesel trucks is a welcome development, the Mission remains reliant on generators and water trucks to sustain essential services. Freedom-of-movement restrictions continue to delay planned rotations, although the Mission’s constant engagement with the AFC/M23 has enabled a complete rotation of the Uruguayan and the Moroccan contingents. Efforts to reopen Goma airport in support of humanitarian flights have not yet yielded results. While MONUSCO’s leadership continues to engage with all relevant stakeholders to lift these restrictions, the active support of the Council remains essential to enable the Mission to regain its full freedom of action. Despite these constraints, MONUSCO personnel continue to carry out their duties with professionalism and resilience. The Mission has enhanced situational awareness and reaction times and maintains a dynamic, proactive posture to deter threats against civilians and adapt to evolving risks. Since the beginning of the year, MONUSCO has facilitated the repatriation of more than 80 foreign ex-combatants affiliated with the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) and more than 127 dependents in coordination with the Rwanda Demobilization and Reintegration Commission. Determined to leverage its capabilities and expertise in support of ongoing peace efforts, MONUSCO has also intensified efforts to support disarmament and repatriation in Masisi, Walikale and Rutshuru in support of the FARDC’s call for the voluntary surrender of the FDLR. Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration specialists will be co-located at the Mission’s bases in Kiwanja and Kitchanga in AFC/M23-controlled territory. The transit camp in Munigi on the outskirts of Goma remains operational, while a new transit site is being established in Sake. The days and weeks ahead will be decisive. Ongoing diplomatic efforts offer a clear pathway towards a lasting political settlement that will bring a long-awaited measure of relief to the millions of Congolese affected by successive cycles of conflict. These must be sustained and intensified to prevent further escalation and lay the foundation for lasting peace, stability and prosperity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the broader Great Lakes region. MONUSCO stands ready to leverage its expertise and capabilities in support of current peace efforts, which are fully consistent with its current mandated priority tasks. The Mission is also gearing up to contribute to ceasefire monitoring and observation efforts, should the Council entrust it with this task. The Mission has participated actively in the three meetings of the Ceasefire Oversight and Verification Mechanism that have been convened since the signing of the 14 October agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23, which established the Mechanism. Plans are already in place, which the Mission will continue to refine as the contours of the ceasefire, the functioning of the Oversight and Verification Mechanism and the full implication of its involvement become clearer. At this critical juncture, it is essential that the Security Council do its utmost to create the conditions necessary for MONUSCO to play its role in protecting civilians, while meeting the growing expectations related to its role in supporting ongoing efforts should, of course, the commitments made in Washington and Doha be implemented. It is also vital that Member States ensure that the Mission is provided with the necessary resources to deliver on its core mandated responsibilities. As the Secretary-General underscored in his report (S/2025/779), MONUSCO remains an essential component of the broader international effort to resolve the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and lay the foundation for lasting peace and stability in the Great Lakes region. Support for ongoing peace efforts, together with the protection of civilians, disarmament and demobilization, the strengthening of security institutions, and human rights monitoring, should form the core of the Mission mandate. I encourage the Council, in renewing MONUSCO’s mandate, to redouble efforts to create the conditions necessary for effective implementation, including full compliance by all parties with resolution 2773 (2025) and the lifting of restrictions on the Mission’s freedom of movement. (spoke in French) The diplomatic progress must now become tangible improvements on the ground so that the Congolese people can finally start to see some of the security and stability that they desire. At this critical juncture, the role of the Security Council is more decisive than ever. A clear, united and determined response from the Council is crucial to averting an escalation of the conflict, eliminate the risk of fragmentation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and containing the increasing regional spread of the violence. The Council possesses the requisite political and normative tools to enforce its resolutions, support ongoing mediation efforts and send an unequivocal message to all the parties about the urgent need to respect the ceasefire, international humanitarian law and the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. MONUSCO, for its part, will continue to implement its mandate with professionalism and resolve. With the Council’s support, it stands ready to play its full part in the peace efforts under way.

I thank Mr. Lacroix for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ambassador Kanu. Mr. Kanu: I have the honour to deliver this statement in my capacity as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is my intention to provide an overview of the work of the Committee since my most recent briefing on 27 June 2025 (see S/PV.9948). Since the most recent briefing, the Committee held three informal consultations in 2025. During the meeting held on 2 July, the Coordinator of the Group of Experts provided an overview of the main findings and recommendations contained in the Group’s Final report (S/2025/446), following which Committee members discussed the findings and recommendations contained therein. During the meeting held on 20 October, the Coordinator of the Group of Experts provided an overview of the programme of work of the Group of Experts, considering resolution 2783 (2025). During the meeting held on 27 October, the Committee received a briefing by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, on behalf of the Under- Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, pursuant to paragraph 5 of resolution 2664 (2022). In accordance with paragraph 115 of the note by the President of the Security Council dated 13 December 2024 (S/2024/507), the Committee issued two press releases containing a brief summary of the informal consultations held, respectively, on 2 July and 20 October.

I thank Ambassador Kanu for his briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Abdelmoneim. Mr. Abdelmoneim: I thank you, Mr. President, for the invitation to brief the Council on the humanitarian situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Allow me to begin with a truth the Council must acknowledge: Despite the appearance of political momentum in recent months, and despite the signing of peace agreements, Médecins sans frontières (MSF) teams continue to witness staggering levels of violence, displacement and deprivation in the Kivus and Ituri. Our patients describe fleeing bombed villages and extreme brutality. From MSF’s vantage point in hospitals, clinics and displacement sites, the picture is unambiguous: this crisis is not easing. Health systems are collapsing, sexual violence is widespread, and humanitarian access and funding are shrinking as needs rise. The gap between political signalling and the lived reality of millions is widening. In fact, the ink has barely dried on the agreement signed in Washington, and the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) has already launched a sweeping offensive in Uvira, driving an estimated 200,000 people from their homes — 40,000 of them into Burundi — stark evidence that the promise of peace is masking a landscape of persistent, large-scale violence. It is becoming increasingly clear that ongoing peace efforts are serving to consolidate the extractive interests of powerful actors rather than to bring relief to the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. None of this is new. The violence communities face is rooted in decades of resource predation and structural neglect. This is the enduring tragedy: generation after generation of Congolese have seen their lives and dignity sacrificed at the altars of politics and profit. Until civilians are no longer treated as expendable, no political process will bring real relief. Despite high-level commitments in Washington and Doha, violence against civilians remains routine. Both State forces and non-State armed groups — including M23, Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda, Allied Democratic Forces, elements of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and their Wazalendo allies — continue to endanger civilians and obstruct access to care. All have been implicated in grave violations of international humanitarian law: summary killings, sexual violence, looting and blocking humanitarian assistance. The toll is devastating. In Binza, MSF patients described men cut down in the fields and women and children shot along the riverbank, their bodies left to drift downstream — testimonies which echo wider reports of massacres in North Kivu. Several of our patients said these attacks were carried out by members of M23. In Rutshuru Hospital, trauma admissions rose by 67 per cent in July. More than 80 per cent of gunshot victims admitted to MSF-supported facilities in July and August were civilians. In Ituri, over the course of this year, we have carried out more than 1,500 trauma surgeries in a single hospital — most for wounds related to conflict. Medical facilities and staff are not spared: ambulances have been stopped at gunpoint, and armed actors have stormed medical facilities, threatening and terrorizing both patients and staff. In Masisi, just two weeks ago, the Kazinga Health Centre, clearly marked with MSF insignia, was looted and destroyed by a Wazalendo militia. Three MSF colleagues have been killed this year. These violations underscore a profound failure to protect civilians. Sexual violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is a long- standing emergency that has scarred communities for decades. Today it continues at an unimaginable scale. In the first six months of this year alone, nearly 28,000 survivors sought care in MSF-supported facilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. That is an average of 155 survivors each and every day, for six months. Three out of four attacks are committed by armed individuals. Attacks occur in fields, on roads, at water points and inside homes. Many survivors reach care too late for preventative treatment. Many never reach it at all. At the same time, essential medical supplies are running dangerously low. In North and South Kivu, half of all health zones lack post-exposure prophylaxis, leaving survivors without the critical care that could prevent infection, avert unwanted pregnancy and reduce long-term harm. The scale and normalization of sexual violence reflect a profound collapse of community protection and a near-total absence of accountability. Women and girls tell us that sexual violence is not simply feared, it is expected. The health system is collapsing under the combined weight of violence, chronic neglect, mass displacement, aid cuts and emerging parallel administrations. In many areas, up to 85 per cent of facilities face critical drug shortages, nearly 40 per cent of health personnel have left their posts, and more than half of facilities we have evaluated have closed or been damaged. The consequences are lethal. In Walikale, deaths of severely malnourished children arriving within 24 and 48 hours of admission rose by 89 and 309 per cent, compared to last year. Families arrive far too late — delayed by insecurity, cost and the absence of functioning care. Preventative health services have crumbled, and vaccination is repeatedly disrupted, leading to an upsurge in preventable infectious diseases. Cholera cases already exceed 38,000, and deaths have more than doubled, compared to last year. Measles continues to spread. A malaria outbreak of unknown proportions is unfolding, while neither diagnostics nor essential treatments are available to contain it. As needs grow, the space to deliver humanitarian assistance is contracting. Across the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, State and non-State actors alike are imposing restrictions unrelated to civilian needs. Life-saving assistance is being delayed, diverted or blocked. The closure of the Goma and Bukavu airstrips — and the failure of Kinshasa and the M23 to reach an agreement to reopen them — has reduced entry points for supplies and personnel into the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and slowed movement within the Kivus. Reaching Walikale can now take more than a month during the rainy season. Shifting conflict lines have also meant that delivering supplies from Bukavu to Uvira has required crossing four international borders at four times the previous cost. Humanitarian access is not optional; it is a legal obligation. Airports must be reopened, passage along key routes must be secured, and medical and humanitarian supplies must move without impediment. On top of the collapse of civilian protection and the erosion of access, major donors are cutting support and eliminating life-saving services in full view of surging needs. Commitments made in capitals mean little when they are not matched with concrete measures on the ground. We make three calls in that respect. First, civilian protection must be placed at the centre of all political and diplomatic engagement. Progress cannot be measured by the number of agreements signed, but by whether people are safer in their homes, on the roads they travel and in the places they seek care. Secondly, humanitarian access must be upheld, not as a gesture of goodwill or a confidence-building measure, but as a moral obligation underpinned by international humanitarian law. Thirdly, the humanitarian response must be resourced at the level this crisis demands. Without flexible, timely funding, preventable deaths will continue to mount. In conclusion, from where we stand — beside patients, not behind podiums — these debates do not lack awareness; they lack consequence. The Council is regularly briefed on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Members are able to describe violations civilians face with precision, even as those violations continue unchecked. For people living through this conflict, the question is not whether the Council understands their reality, it is why that understanding so rarely translates into meaningful protection. This disconnect is damning and that failure is profound. If the Council cannot act when so many lives are at stake, then the promise of civilian protection becomes a hollow doctrine, recited here, but absent where it is most needed. What is required today is neither new rhetoric nor new diplomatic architecture. It is the will to insist that civilians are not expendable and that their rights — to safety and to dignity — are non-negotiable, not in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and not anywhere civilians are under threat.

I thank Mr. Abdelmoneim 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 Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and the President of Médecins sans frontières, Mr. Mohamed Javid Abdelmoneim, for their very insightful remarks. I would also like to thank the Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone, Mr. Michael Kanu, for his briefing in his capacity as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Finally, I welcome the presence of the Minister of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Her Excellency Ms. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, as well as the presence of the representatives of Rwanda and Burundi. We meet today as the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23), supported by the Rwanda Defence Force, has launched an offensive on Uvira this week, only a few days after the signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda on 4 December. This situation should be of deep concern to the Council, at a time when its members are deliberating on the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). I would like to stress three messages. First, the offensive of the M23, supported by the Rwanda Defence Force, jeopardizes regional stability and undermines the security of civilians. The capture of the city of Uvira in South Kivu, on the border with Burundi, carries serious and imminent risks of regional escalation and directly threatens the security of neighbouring countries. The use of suicide drones is a worrisome escalation. These clashes have led to the forced displacement of tens of thousands of civilians, further worsening the situation in a region that is already the world’s second most serious humanitarian crisis. The international community mobilized to assist the populations affected by the conflict at the Paris conference on 30 October. France reiterates the urgent need to protect civilian populations. France urges the M23 to end its offensive and the Rwanda Defence Force to withdraw from Congolese territory, in accordance with resolution 2773 (2025), which was unanimously adopted by the Council. The M23 must respect its commitments under the declaration of principles and the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Secondly, in this context, France reaffirms its confidence in the mediators. The African Union, in particular through the President of Angola and the President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, the United States and Qatar have undertaken immense efforts to achieve a lasting settlement of the conflict, which has devastated the people of the Great Lakes and seriously destabilized the region for decades. More than ever, the support of all members of the Council for these peace efforts is required. We must collectively reaffirm the need for all parties to respect international humanitarian law and their obligations to protect civilians. Resolution 2773 (2025) must be fully implemented and respected by all actors, starting with its call for an unconditional, effective and verifiable ceasefire. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is non-negotiable. Provocative actions or hate speech that jeopardize the safety of civilians must cease. The Washington Accords must be respected. The Doha Framework must be implemented. We call for the African Union to continue its efforts. Recent events risk undermining progress towards a lasting political settlement of the conflict. The third message is we must not allow this situation to undermine MONUSCO’s mandate or the ongoing negotiations. As the Under-Secretary-General pointed out, MONUSCO continues to play an essential role when it comes to protecting civilians and with regard to conflict settlement. France, as penholder, has presented a draft resolution aimed at positioning MONUSCO in a role to support all peace efforts. This includes the question of ceasefire monitoring, for which MONUSCO is well placed thanks to its presence on the ground, its expertise, its capabilities and its impartiality. The restrictions imposed by the M23 on its freedom of movement and its supply of essential resources are unacceptable and must end. We call on the members of the Council to continue the negotiations in good faith, bearing in mind the responsibility they shoulder in the current situation and knowing that this delegation will be following the situation very closely. The people of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the countries of the region and troop-contributing countries expect the Council to live up to its responsibilities in the light of the urgency of the situation. Let us respond to this expectation for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the region.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the African members of the Security Council plus one (A3+), namely Algeria, Guyana, Somalia and my own country, Sierra Leone. We wish to thank Under-Secretary General Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Mr. Javid Abdelmoneim for their briefings on the situation on the ground. We welcome the participation of Her Excellency Ms. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the representatives of Rwanda and Burundi in this meeting. Over the past three decades, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and its predecessor Mission, the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo supporting efforts for peace, stabilization and the protection of civilians, in a context marked by recurring armed conflict, complex humanitarian challenges and a major political transition. The A3+ reiterates our deep appreciation to the Mission for its continued service and dedication to the Congolese people, faced with extraordinary challenges. However, as we meet today, peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remain volatile, despite sustained regional and international diplomatic efforts. We would also like to express our profound appreciation to Ms. Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of MONUSCO, for her leadership and commitment to advancing peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Her dedicated service to the Congolese people, particularly her efforts to safeguard and support civilians, have been invaluable. The recent developments in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, most notably the fall of Uvira City, the last major settlement in South Kivu, to the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23)/Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) rebels, is profoundly alarming. Even more alarming is the worsening humanitarian situation for the civilian population who have been displaced, fleeing across the border in search of safety and potentially creating pressures for receiving countries. We underscore the importance of supporting these countries, as they serve as safe havens for those fleeing the violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The A3+ remains gravely alarmed by the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has long been among the world’s most severe. The renewed offensive in South Kivu risks overwhelming an already overstretched and critically underfunded humanitarian system. With more than 5.7 million people internally displaced and an estimated 24.8 million facing food insecurity amid acute security and access constraints, humanitarian personnel cannot sustain operations under continued hostilities in South Kivu. Reports from international humanitarian organizations on the ground are also alarming. According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, nearly 200,000 people have been displaced, with women and children bearing the greatest burden of this renewed violence. It is thus absolutely necessary for the Security Council to act decisively to halt the escalation of the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. In view of this, we must remind all parties to the conflict of their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law to protect civilians during conflict. The A3+ further reiterates that the solution to this conflict remains fundamentally political. We were therefore encouraged by last week’s signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda by President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and President Paul Kagame, witnessed by African leaders, including President João Lourenço, President of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union (AU); President Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers of Togo and the African Union-appointed mediator of the crisis between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda; and His Excellency Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. As underscored by the AU Chairperson: “the Washington Accords represent an important moment to put an end to a conflict that has lasted for more than three decades — a conflict between brothers and neighbouring countries who, for various reasons, have been fighting one another over the years, with heavy consequences both for the population and economies of their respective countries”. The A3+ fully echoes these sentiments and reaffirms its strong support for the leadership and mediation efforts of African stakeholders. We therefore urge all parties to honour their recent commitments undertaken in Doha and Washington, D.C. and to work in good faith towards lasting peace, stability and prosperity throughout the Great Lakes region. The renewed offensive in South Kivu comes at a time when the Council is discussing the future of the presence of the United Nations peacekeeping Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the light of the current realities on the ground, discussion on MONUSCO’s future must be approached with the utmost care and with the interests of the people of the Great Lakes region at the centre. The safety of their lives and livelihoods and enabling their prosperity must guide our decision on the renewal and the orientation of the new MONUSCO mandate. After decades of conflict, a “business-as-usual” approach is no longer tenable. A genuine paradigm shift is needed — one that reimagines the United Nations presence in ways that reinforce African-led proposals and those of the Doha and Washington processes. Harmonizing these proposals will require sincere engagement and understanding of African perspectives, moving beyond symbolic acknowledgement towards the meaningful inclusion of African solutions. To conclude, the A3+ is of the view that with the renewal of the mandate of MONUSCO, the Mission must be provided with the necessary operational flexibility to support the implementation of the mandate, not only in terms of protecting civilians but, where appropriate, deployment and a targeted return to critical areas currently lacking a permanent presence of governmental authority. Additionally, the mandate should strengthen MONUSCO’s role in supporting transitional justice and accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The A3+ stands firmly in solidarity with the Congolese people and all affected communities in the region. With the resilience and ingenuity of the Congolese people, supported by regional mechanisms and international efforts, we believe that a sustained solution to this conflict is within reach. The A3+ will continue to offer its unwavering support towards the realization of these aspirations.

I thank our briefers today. President Trump was pleased to have convened President Tshisekedi Tshilombo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and President Kagame of Rwanda in Washington, D.C., on 4 December for the signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda and the regional economic integration framework. It was a true and sincere demonstration and effort towards peace. However, peace processes require parties to uphold their commitments to that very process, and the United States is profoundly concerned and incredibly disappointed with the renewed outbreak of violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Today I want to share some additional information on the scope and sophistication of Rwanda’s involvement in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since the re-emergence of its proxy armed group, the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23), Rwanda has had strategic control of the group and its political wing, the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), and has deployed the M23 and AFC to achieve Rwanda’s geopolitical goals in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kigali has been intimately involved in planning and executing the war in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, providing military and political direction to M23 forces and AFC for years now. The Rwanda Defence Force has provided material, logistics and training support to the M23, as well as fighting alongside the M23 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with roughly 5,000 to 7,000 troops as of early December. This is not counting the possible increases from Rwanda in the most recent advancement. In more recent months, Rwanda has deployed multiple surface-to-air missiles and other heavy and sophisticated weaponry into North and South Kivu to aid the M23 in its conflict against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rwanda and the M23 began their offensive just this past weekend to take Uvira, with Rwandan forces co-located with the M23 along the front lines. Additionally, we have credible reports of increased use of suicide drones and increased use of artillery by both the M23 and Rwanda, including strikes into Burundi. So, rather than a march towards peace, as we saw under President Trump’s leadership, in recent weeks Rwanda has been leading the region towards increased instability and war. In the light of the commitments made in the Washington Accords, we are deeply concerned about the Rwandan military’s continued presence in Congolese territory in support of the M23, and we will use the tools at our disposal to hold to account spoilers to peace. We call on Rwanda to uphold its commitments and to further recognize the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s right to defend its territory and its sovereign right to invite Burundian forces onto its territory. We are engaging with all sides to urge restraint and to avoid further escalation, including refraining from hostile anti-Tutsi rhetoric. As the Security Council negotiates the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) mandate, the United States will seek to ensure that the Mission has the capabilities to provide support to both the Doha and Washington agreements, keeping in mind that the parties themselves bear full responsibility for their successful implementation, and we look for Council members’ support as we negotiate this mandate’s renewal. MONUSCO’s ability to provide critical enabling support to these processes, however, hinges entirely on its ability to move freely, to sustain itself and to implement its mandate without interference. And the fact that United Nations peacekeeping forces are under siege by forces backed by a Member State — a Member State that itself is a troop contributor to peacekeeping missions — frankly is a sad hypocrisy. Unfortunately, the M23’s months-long blockade of MONUSCO has undermined its ability to operate effectively in and out of Goma, as many representatives have stated here today. For its part, Rwanda continues to deploy surface-to-air missiles and additionally conduct spoofing and jamming operations, which have effectively grounded MONUSCO air operations. How can MONUSCO succeed under these conditions? We demand the immediate end of such obstruction, which violates the obligations of the M23 and Rwanda under both the Doha and Washington agreements, respectively. We remain steadfast in our support of MONUSCO and its role in the realization of these historic agreements, which we believe hold great potential to end the decades of suffering in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

We would like to thank Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix for his briefing. We are grateful to the Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone for his report as the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We have listened attentively to Dr. Mohamed Javid Abdelmoneim. We welcome the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Francophonie and Congolese Diaspora of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ms. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, as well as the representatives of Burundi and Rwanda. Today’s meeting, unfortunately, is taking place amid a serious escalation in South Kivu triggered by the offensive by the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) group. We have repeatedly stated that we are particularly concerned about the developments in that province. The city of Uvira, located on the border with Burundi, has been facing encirclement and assault by the M23 for several months. This situation, just a few days after the summit in Washington, demonstrates once again that international diplomatic efforts are not yielding tangible results, nor are they having a real impact on the situation on the ground. In fact, there can be no effective truce or a ceasefire. All this remains merely an expression of the parties’ intentions on paper. Today, the Great Lakes region has nearly reached a very dangerous threshold, beyond which a large-scale armed confrontation between States is looming. We are calling on the sides to halt their fire and focus on real steps to resolve the crisis and create normal conditions of life for peaceful civilians in all countries of the region. Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo must begin to implement resolution 2773 (2025) and stop cooperating with the M23 group and the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda. As long as these basic precepts are deliberately ignored, the situation will only continue to deteriorate. I would like to underscore that we support all international efforts aimed at ending the armed conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and achieving long-awaited peace for the Congolese people and their neighbours. There should be no doubt about that. However, the agreements signed in Washington and Doha must be assessed on the basis of how they are being implemented. The current situation in South Kivu is indicative of the real attitude of the participants in the negotiation process towards the agreements they signed. We commend the efforts by the peacekeepers of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), many of whom sacrificed their lives. We also note the role of the Head of the Mission, Ms. Bintou Keita. However, under the current circumstances, MONUSCO remains hostage to the escalation of the conflicts between the States in the region. The Mission has been in this situation for almost a year; since January, the armed conflict has escalated as a result of the actions by the M23. More than 40 per cent of the Mission’s personnel are essentially confined to United Nations facilities on the territory under the control of that group in North Kivu. Russia has repeatedly emphasized that this kind of situation is unacceptable and should not continue. However, some colleagues in the Council and their like-minded counterparts in the Secretariat have long assured us and other Council members that we need to “wait just a little longer” for the international mediation efforts to revive MONUSCO. The Mission could indeed play an important role in contributing to resolving the crisis, in particular in terms of monitoring the ceasefire. However, given the developments in South Kivu, it is obvious that, as of today, the conditions for that have not been met. We should have rushed to propose unconditional solutions earlier. What is needed today is an extremely cautious approach. Any significant changes to the MONUSCO mandate must take into account the real situation on the ground and be based on clear and detailed recommendations from the Secretariat. Only such an approach will make the Mission operational again. I would like to emphasize that we are ready to engage with our colleagues on the Council to formulate instructions for the Secretariat to present to us possible options for involving MONUSCO in monitoring the ceasefire and generally adapting the Mission to the current circumstances. However, we will not agree to poorly designed initiatives that are at odds with reality. Pushing them through for political reasons will ultimately only exacerbate the already complex situation of MONUSCO and will be yet another blow to the reputation of United Nations peacekeeping.

I would like to thank the briefers, who have brought helpful clarity and insights to our discussions. And I welcome the participation in today’s meeting of Her Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Francophonie and Congolese Diaspora of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as the representatives of Rwanda and Burundi. I thank the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for his update. I will make three points. First, the United Kingdom welcomes the signing last week of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda and the signing of the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement last month. We commend the leadership of the United States, Qatar and the African Union in driving these efforts. We call on the parties to implement the agreements and honour their commitments in full. Secondly, we are deeply concerned that, despite progress on the political tracks, violence has increased in South Kivu. We condemn the recent offensive by the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) and takeover of Uvira, with the support of the Rwandan Defence Force. The United Kingdom urges an immediate cessation of hostilities and all parties to fully comply with resolution 2773 (2025). There can be no military solution to the conflict. The escalation in fighting has also worsened an already dire humanitarian situation, which will only further deteriorate as refugees flee across the border into Burundi, following the most recent offences of the M23. We are greatly concerned by continued reports of human rights violations and abuses, including conflict-related sexual violence, on which we have heard tragic testimony from the International President of Médecins sans frontières today, perpetrated by the parties to the conflict, and in particular by the M23 and Wazalendo groups. The United Kingdom calls on the parties to fully comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, including ensuring the protection of civilians. Thirdly, the United Kingdom reiterates its full support for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). The Mission continues to play a vital role, especially in supporting the protection of civilians. We also express our support for MONUSCO’s role in ceasefire monitoring in order to embed the progress towards peace and security made through the political processes. In addition, we underscore that it is critical that MONUSCO be able to deliver its mandate without hindrance. We again call for the M23 to lift all obstructions to the Mission’s operations. We urge all parties to ensure MONUSCO’s freedom of movement, in compliance with the decisions of the Council. The United Kingdom calls on all parties to now seize the opportunity to deliver the peace, prosperity and security that the people of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo so deserve.

Let me begin by expressing our gratitude to Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Mr. Mohamed Javid Abdelmoneim, International President of Médecins sans frontières, for their valuable briefings. Their efforts on the ground, putting their lives at risk amid extreme violence, are commendable, and we mourn their fallen colleagues in the line of duty. I also welcome the presence of Ms. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and we welcome the Permanent Representatives of Rwanda and Burundi to this meeting. Panama highlights recent diplomatic advances, including the peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda reached in June 2025, facilitated by the United States, and the framework agreed in Doha between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Mouvement du 23 mars, signed on 15 November. However, the reality on the ground reminds us that the signing of agreements does not equate to peace. What we heard today from Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and the representative of Médecins sans frontières makes it clear that, while we speak here today, hundreds of thousands of lives are hanging by a string. The current situation facing the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in Goma is cause for serious concern, particularly the restrictions affecting its operational capacity. In this context, it is essential to guarantee full freedom of movement for its personnel and ensure the implementation of its mandate, as well as respect for international law, in order to preserve the safety of its collaborators and the continuity of its operations. Furthermore, Panama stresses the importance of the full implementation of resolution 2773 (2025), which establishes essential parameters for the protection of civilians and the advancement of the transition, as well as of the sanctions regime renewed by resolution 2783 (2025), a key tool for reducing the operational capacity of armed groups, combating illicit economies and pressuring all actors to comply with their obligations. Our delegation particularly welcomes the formal adoption of the Regional Economic Integration Framework, signed by the Presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda on December 4 in Washington, D.C. We believe that this development represents a real opportunity to end more than a decade of conflict and suffering in the region, if it is implemented in a timely manner and respected by all. Renewed violence only serves to delay this solution and blocks a great opportunity to achieve peace. However, more than 7 million people remain internally displaced, and the latest reports reveal that more than 80 per cent of health centres in North Kivu and South Kivu lack essential medicines and the personnel needed to care for the population. We are also carefully following the recent fall of the city of Uvira and we share the concerns voiced by the members of the Council in that connection. This situation, exacerbated by the advances of the Mouvement du 23 mars in Congolese territory, attacks on infrastructure and a severe humanitarian funding gap, puts thousands of people at risk who require urgent treatment for diseases such as malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis, which disproportionately affect women, girls and boys. Panama urgently calls on donors to close the funding gap for the 2025 humanitarian response plan and to strengthen operational capacities on the ground. The protection of humanitarian personnel should be prioritized. This assistance should not be politicized and should reach those who need it most, without restrictions. The presence of MONUSCO remains crucial for protecting civilians and supporting the Congolese Government’s efforts in the areas of security, governance and stabilization. The Council has reiterated that the withdrawal of the Mission must be gradual, responsible and based on conditions, not rigid timetables. The reduction of troops and flexible funding will yield the opposite of the desired results. For decades, the Congolese people have paid an unacceptable price for regional instability, competition for resources and the absence of strong institutions. Panama is convinced that there is no military solution to this crisis. Only a combination of national political will, sincere regional commitment and sustained and united support from the Council will make it possible to transform the potential of the Democratic Republic of the Congo into a reality of peace, development and prosperity for its people.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix, as well as Ambassador Kanu, Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Mr. Abdelmoneim for their briefings. I welcome the presence of the Foreign Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Her Excellency Ms. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, as well as the representatives of Rwanda and Burundi at today’s meeting. The current situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo remains tense. Escalating conflict and violence have led to a grave humanitarian crisis. The international community must make concrete efforts to promote de-escalation. I wish to emphasize three points in that regard. First, it is imperative to end hostilities immediately. The Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) launched a wave of offensives in recent days and captured key cities, such as Uvira, leading to a sudden escalation of tensions on the ground. China expresses deep concerns about these developments and strongly condemns the violence committed by the M23. We urge the group to implement resolution 2773 (2025) and the relevant peace accords, immediately cease hostilities, withdraw from Uvira and other cities and stop its expansion in order to prevent further spillover of the conflict. External actors should halt all forms of support for armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and work towards de-escalation. All parties to the conflict must abide by international humanitarian law, protect civilians, including foreign citizens, and lift all restrictions on critical infrastructure and humanitarian access. China firmly supports the efforts of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to safeguard its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, with a view to restoring national authority in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as soon as possible. Secondly, sincere dialogue and negotiation are essential. There is no military solution to the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. A political solution is the only way out. Although parties to the conflict have recently signed a spate of peace agreements, the situation on the ground has not truly improved. The priority now is for all parties to demonstrate political will and fulfil their commitments. The mediators, for their part, should also effectively fulfil their monitoring responsibilities. All parties should urge the M23 to intensify its negotiations with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, conclude the outstanding protocols of the Doha framework for a comprehensive peace agreement and ensure that the ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism is operationalized as soon as possible. China appreciates the contribution of the African Union (AU) and subregional organizations to peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Any external process should be in line and coordinated with the AU process and respect the AU’s leading role in the peace process in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Thirdly, the peacekeeping Mission’s ability to fulfil its mandate must be secured. Currently, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) is grappling with ongoing restrictions on movement; interruptions to its water, electricity and fuel supplies; and downsizing and budget cuts. The Mission is only capable of sustaining basic operations. The Security Council should urge the relevant parties to lift movement restrictions on MONUSCO and, at the same time, conduct a comprehensive assessment of the challenges that affect the delivery of the Mission’s mandate, with a view to finding solutions. MONUSCO can play a role in supporting the peace process in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, including ceasefire monitoring. However, any adjustments to MONUSCO’s mandate must be based on the situation on the ground, with a feasible plan and predictable outcomes, and must be fully assessed by the Secretariat. Rushed decisions, or even treating MONUSCO’s mandate as a carte blanche, will only further disrupt MONUSCO’s mandated activities and undermine the credibility of both the Mission and the Security Council. MONUSCO is a United Nations-led peacekeeping Mission, and its actions should be guided by the Charter of the United Nations and reflect the common will of Member States. China reiterates its firm support for MONUSCO in fulfilling its duties. The situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is now at a critical juncture. The international community should set aside geopolitical calculations, build consensus for peace, join forces with all parties and genuinely commit to regional peace, development and prosperity. As a good friend of countries in the region, China remains committed to working with all parties to make unremitting efforts towards the settlement of the conflict as well as development and stability in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

I would like to start by thanking our briefers and by welcoming Her Excellency the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the representatives of Rwanda and Burundi to this meeting, and by thanking the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo for his update. Almost a year since the dramatic escalation of the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, we meet at a moment of both fragile progress and persistent, acute risks. Important steps have been taken, yet many decisive actions still lie ahead. I would like to stress the following points. First, we repeat that resolution 2773 (2025) must be implemented immediately, fully and unconditionally. We remain particularly alarmed by the deteriorating security situation in South Kivu, driven by the continuing advance of the Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement du 23 mars (AFC/M23), with the alleged support of the Rwanda Defence Force, and the risk of a spillover of the conflict, which could trigger a regional crisis. The AFC/M23 must immediately cease hostilities and withdraw from Goma, Bukavu and all other controlled areas. As the Council stressed in its recent press statement, all illegitimate parallel administrations must be dismantled, restoring State authority throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In this context, we reiterate Greece’s steadfast support for the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Secondly, we welcome all efforts towards a ceasefire and a sustainable peace, stability and reconciliation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and commend the United States and Qatar for their critical mediation efforts. We congratulate President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and President Paul Kagame for the signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity on 4 December, as well as the issuance of the joint declaration on the Accords by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. We urge them to now accelerate the implementation of their commitments as provided by the Accords. These gains must not be undermined by a new escalation in South Kivu by the M23. We also welcome the signing of the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the AFC/M23 on 15 November, and we urge them to materialize their commitment to a permanent ceasefire. Thirdly, we are deeply concerned about the grave humanitarian and security consequences of the conflict, both in North and South Kivu and in Ituri, described by our briefers today. All parties must respect international humanitarian law and ensure unrestricted humanitarian access and facilitate humanitarian flights. We are particularly concerned about the grave human rights violations and abuses committed against women and children, notably the large-scale recruitment and use of children, abductions, killings and maiming and shocking levels of sexual violence. All perpetrators of violations of international humanitarian law and of violations and abuses of human rights must be held accountable and be brought to justice. Fourthly and finally, MONUSCO’s freedom of movement must be unobstructed and its ability to operate must remain unrestricted. Resolution 2773 (2025) reiterates the Council’s full support for MONUSCO, whose work remains critical in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in protecting civilians, responding to urgent humanitarian needs and supporting the implementation of the peace process. We emphasize, once more, our strong commitment to the safety and security of MONUSCO’s personnel. As the Council considers the upcoming renewal of MONUSCO’s mandate, Greece stands ready to work closely with all members to ensure that the Mission can continue fulfilling its critical role at this pivotal juncture for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix, Ambassador Kanu and Mr. Abdelmoneim for their briefings. I also welcome Her Excellency Ms. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the Foreign Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the representatives of Rwanda and Burundi to this meeting. To begin, we strongly condemn the recent advance by the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) into Uvira in South Kivu, a serious development that risks further escalating the conflict across the region. The unanimously adopted resolution 2773 (2025) demands that M23 immediately cease all hostilities and withdraw from all controlled areas and that the Rwanda Defence Force end its support for M23. We urge all parties to fully and immediately implement this urgent call from the Security Council. I would like to highlight the following three points. First, the conflict cannot be resolved by force, under any circumstances. In this regard, we welcome the ongoing efforts towards a political solution, including the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, signed on 4 December, and welcome the United States’ mediation efforts. We urge all parties to faithfully implement their commitments. We also recognize the efforts of Qatar and the African Union to advance both the Washington and Doha processes. Regional cooperation is indispensable for the sustainability of the Accords. We encourage the close alignment of the political process with regional mechanisms, including the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region. Secondly, while our expectations should remain high, they must take into account the reality on the ground. In this regard, we are deeply concerned by the recent offensive expansion of the M23 and discouraged by the fact that the local communities continue to say that nothing has changed. Armed groups such as the Allied Democratic Forces and the Coopérative pour le développement du Congo, which are not parties to the ongoing peace processes, continue to carry out attacks against civilians and civilian facilities, including hospitals and churches. Such attacks must stop immediately. We also call on the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to redouble their efforts not only to disarm and demobilize these armed groups but also to reintegrate them. The situation on the humanitarian front is also alarming: 5.7 million people remain internally displaced, and food insecurity and medical conditions continue to worsen. Humanitarian assistance to those in need must be swiftly delivered. We condemn any actions that obstruct this effort. Thirdly, MONUSCO’s active role is more necessary than ever, particularly at a time when security conditions on the ground continue to contradict previous pledges. We expect MONUSCO to play a meaningful role in ensuring that the ongoing peace processes are effectively implemented. To carry out its mandate fully and effectively, the Mission must be guaranteed full freedom of movement and uninterrupted access to its operational infrastructure. I urge the M23 to immediately lift all restrictions imposed on MONUSCO, including access to electricity, fuel and water, as well as troop rotations. We recall that under the Washington Accords, both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda agreed to support and facilitate MONUSCO’s capability to implement its mandate. We therefore urge all parties to translate their commitments into concrete action. The Republic of Korea remains firmly committed to a stable and peaceful Democratic Republic of the Congo and supports MONUSCO’s vital role in this endeavour. In this vein, we will continue to remain engaged with developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and discussions on MONUSCO’s forthcoming mandate renewal.

Let me also thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and the representative of Médecins sans frontières for their briefings. I would like to welcome the participation of Her Excellency Minister for Foreign Affairs Kayikwamba Wagner and the representatives of Rwanda and Burundi in this meeting. The year 2025 has been one of major developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite consistent challenges on the ground, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has continued to deliver. Denmark commends MONUSCO for its tireless efforts in support of peace in extremely difficult circumstances. Allow me to raise three points. First, we commend the collective mediation efforts by the United States and Qatar, as well as the key role played by the President of Togo as the African Union- appointed lead mediator and the panel of facilitators. We welcome the signing by the Presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda on 4 December and the signing by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) of the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement on 15 November. However, we are deeply concerned that the commitments made by these parties are not being upheld. Just this week, continued advances of the M23/Alliance Fleuve Congo and the intensified clashes in South Kivu resulted in mass casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. We call on all parties to refrain from further escalation and remind all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law. We further urge the M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force to immediately halt offensive operations. In line with resolution 2773 (2025), Denmark reiterates the call on Rwanda to withdraw its troops from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and end its support to the M23, as well as the call on the Democratic Republic of the Congo to cease its support for the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda. The latest developments strongly underline the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, leading to a permanent and verifiable ceasefire. Secondly, Denmark remains concerned about the appalling human rights situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We condemn the widespread reports of conflict-related sexual violence incidents, notably the use of rape and other forms of sexual violence, including against children. We strongly support the recommendations by the fact-finding mission on the Democratic Republic of the Congo to integrate accountability and transitional justice into peace negotiations and to strengthen efforts to prevent and punish conflict-related sexual violence. As we heard from our civil society briefer today, these violations and abuses are taking place in the context of a catastrophic humanitarian situation. We reiterate our calls for unhindered and safe humanitarian access, including through Goma airport. We welcome the pledges made at the Great Lakes conference in Paris in October and call for their rapid implementation. My final point: as we approach the renewal of MONUSCO’s mandate, Denmark underlines our support for the Mission and the critical need for its presence for stability and the protection of civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. MONUSCO’s mandate must reflect the current operational reality and respond to the situation on the ground, both with regard to possibilities for support to peace processes and emerging protection needs. We thank the peacekeepers who put their life at risk in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We underscore that all parties must cease obstructions of the Mission’s operations and ensure its freedom of movement, resupply and troop rotations. Let me conclude by expressing our deep appreciation to Special Representative Bintou Keita for her dedication and leadership during her time as Head of MONUSCO. We look forward to the timely appointment of her successor at this critical time for the Mission.

We join colleagues in welcoming the presence of the honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo at this meeting, as well as that of the representatives of Burundi and Rwanda. Pakistan thanks the briefers for the clear articulation of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, deeply complex and challenging as it is, yet with an opportunity now to improve things on the ground. We appreciate the outgoing Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Bintou Keita, for a job well done under extremely challenging circumstances. We commend all personnel of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) for their professionalism and courage under extraordinarily difficult conditions. We pay solemn tribute to the peacekeepers who have lost their lives, including those killed in the aftermath of the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) takeover of Goma. Their services embody the highest ideals of the United Nations. The perpetrators of those attacks and their supporters must be held accountable. The situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo remains extremely volatile. The security environment has deteriorated sharply. Despite the commitments made in the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement on a ceasefire, the M23 continues its territorial expansion, including the recent takeover of Uvira. And despite the signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)/M23 continue to receive external support. It is essential that commitments made under these agreements are implemented. We call for an immediate ceasefire and a complete cessation of hostilities. It is regrettable that resolution 2773 (2025) remains unimplemented. Nearly 40 per cent of MONUSCO’s area of operation is under the control of the AFC/M23. MONUSCO’s movements in these territories are severely restricted, its supply chains are disrupted, and troop rotations remain difficult. These conditions prevent the Mission from implementing its mandate, particularly the protection of civilians. It is unacceptable that armed groups have imposed parallel administrations and stopped utilities of the United Nations personnel. We condemn these actions unequivocally. The M23 must allow MONUSCO to perform its mandate, assigned by the Security Council. It is equally important to address this situation in the context of the current mandate renewal of the Mission. The Mission must be given mandates that are realistic, achievable and aligned with the realities on the ground. MONUSCO, as the only credible and impartial force, is uniquely positioned to play a central role in promoting peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Council should leverage MONUSCO’s institutional experience, logistical reach and operational presence. It is thus best placed to perform critical tasks, including monitoring and verifying a ceasefire, once it is in place. The discussions on MONUSCO’s potential ceasefire-monitoring role in South Kivu are also important. Pakistan, as one of the largest troop-contributing countries to South Kivu, had earlier cautioned that the withdrawal from South Kivu was premature and might create a security vacuum. Regrettably, that assessment has proven correct. This also underscores the need to meaningfully consult those who serve on the ground. Decision-making on mandates and adjustments must better integrate the views of troop- and police-contributing countries and field leadership. It is also imperative that mandates be matched with commensurate resources. MONUSCO’s budget was reduced by $45.3 million, leading to the repatriation of more than 700 troops. A subsequent 25 per cent contingency planning further decreased the Mission’s strength by 1,550 personnel. While the authorized troop ceiling remains 11,500, MONUSCO currently has only around 8,234 troops on ground. This stark mismatch between the Mission’s responsibilities and shrinking resources must be urgently addressed to ensure that MONUSCO can effectively deliver on the tasks entrusted to it by the Security Council. Pakistan welcomes the recent diplomatic momentum aimed at achieving peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We appreciate Qatar’s facilitation of the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government and the M23. We also welcome the United States leadership in facilitating the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, signed on 4 December, as a historic step towards regional de-escalation and improved relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Pakistan further commends the African Union–led process under the mediation of Togo, which seeks to harmonize the Luanda and Nairobi tracks into a coherent African-led framework. We agree with Under-Secretary-General Lacroix that the gap between the political and diplomatic efforts and the real impact on the ground risks undermining those efforts. Those processes must strive to address the root causes of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for lasting peace and stability. We reaffirm our support for the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region of Africa, whose role remains crucial in ensuring coordination and complementarity among those parallel efforts. It is essential that all peace initiatives remain mutually reinforcing, regionally supported, backed by the Security Council and grounded in safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Finally, we urge the parties to demonstrate political will, engage in serious dialogue, fulfil their obligations and avail themselves of the opportunity that is presented currently by the high-level international engagement and support to realize sustainable peace in the region.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Slovenia. I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and Ambassador Kanu for their updates. We are grateful to Dr. Abdelmoneim for his uncompromising front-line testimony. What we heard today must be yet another wake-up call: the human cost of this conflict is laid bare before us — stark, undeniable and worsening by the day. We welcome also the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Francophonie and Congolese Diaspora of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ms. Kayikwamba Wagner, as well as the representatives of Burundi and Rwanda. Slovenia remains alarmed by the continued sharp escalation of hostilities in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, some unfolding even as the Security Council meets. Those developments run directly counter to the Council’s decisions, in particular resolution 2773 (2025). We welcome intensified diplomatic efforts by the United States, Qatar and the African Union, including the signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda and the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Those diplomatic tracks hold promise but must be translated into verifiable steps by all parties. As Slovenia has consistently stressed, no progress is possible without silencing the guns. And we agree with Under-Secretary-General Lacroix, as well as with several colleagues, that declarations are not enough; compliance must be demonstrated. Diplomacy must not be used as a shield behind which military gains continue. We call on all parties — Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)/Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) — to fully and immediately uphold their commitments. The realities on the ground tell a different story. The latest advance of the M23 in South Kivu marks a dangerous widening of the conflict. Slovenia condemns these offensives. We call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in line with resolution 2773 (2025), and we call on the M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force to halt all offensive operations and withdraw. Civilians must not bear the burden of promises that are not honoured. We condemn every attack on civilians, medical facilities, humanitarian personnel and critical infrastructure, not only by the M23, but also by the Allied Democratic Forces, the Coopérative pour le développement du Congo, Zaire, the Convention pour la révolution populaire, the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda and other armed groups. The International President of the Médecins sans frontières (MSF) has just briefed on attacks on health centres, mass displacement and the immense difficulty of conducting life-saving operations. We follow closely the MSF’s life-saving work, including the unbearable realities Dr. Abdelmoneim’s teams confront daily. The reporting on sexual violence and the fact that, as he just said, it is not simply feared but expected are truly shocking and devastating. Slovenia condemns that brutality in the strongest possible terms. We call on all parties to implement concrete, verifiable measures to reduce harm to civilians, including ceasing all attacks and guaranteeing safe movement for humanitarian actors, including the re-opening of the Goma and Kavumu airports. Slovenia expresses its full support for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). We thank Ms. Bintou Keita for all her efforts and leadership as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and her field- focused diplomacy. As we approach MONUSCO’s mandate renewal, the Council must carefully reflect on the current context and trajectories ahead. MONUSCO must remain appropriately equipped and positioned to navigate rapidly changing conditions, particularly in the protection of civilians, support to peace processes, disarmament and demobilization, and human rights monitoring. The people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo need and deserve more than perpetual crisis management. We are of the view that, with restraint, responsibility, respect for international law and regional cooperation grounded in respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of all States, non-support to armed groups and accountability, a path towards de-escalation and lasting peace remains possible. I resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to Her Excellency Ms. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Francophonie and Congolese Diaspora of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

I thank you, Mr. President, for giving me the floor to discuss the report of the Secretary-General (S/2025/779) and the renewal of the mandate of United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). I commend the quality of the report and pay tribute to the Department of Peace Operations, the humanitarian actors and all United Nations personnel who, day after day, work to protect civilians in extremely difficult conditions, a reminder that the purpose of this Organization is to defend human dignity, even in the most adverse circumstances. I also welcome the presence of Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and commend him for his important contributions. I welcome, too, the contributions of Sierra Leone, in its capacity as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as those of the International President of the Médecins sans frontières and of the Permanent Representative of Burundi. On December 4, in Washington D.C., Presidents Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and Paul Kagame signed a peace agreement facilitated by the United States of America, under the leadership of President Donald Trump. This agreement, supported by regional and international guarantors, brought hope for a historic turning point. However, less than 24 hours after the signing, events on the ground ran counter to the commitments made: bombings, explosive drones, coordinated advances around Uvira and in the Ruzizi plain. It is unacceptable that a solemn agreement should be rejected the very next day by those who committed to it. These acts undermine the momentum created in Washington and confirm what the Secretary-General's report highlights: the ceasefire required by resolution 2773 (2025) is not being implemented, attacks against civilians continue, humanitarian access is being impeded, and the situation continues to deteriorate despite diplomatic efforts. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has voluntarily chosen the path of diplomacy. This choice is neither a concession nor a sign of weakness. It reflects our sense of responsibility, and our faith in multilateral mechanisms which, if fully embraced, can still bring about peace. We made this choice because we believe in the commitment of the United States, the main facilitator of the Washington process; in the consistency of the State of Qatar, guarantor of the Doha process; and in the normative value of the Luanda process, whose principles continue to guide the action of the African Union, now led by the Togolese Republic. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has acted — and continues to act — in good faith. Diplomacy is not a default option for us; it is an expression of our responsibility as a State and our respect for international law. Since the evening of December 4, positions around Katogota, Ruvungi, Kaziba, Rurambo, Luvungi and along the Kamanyola–Uvira axis have been targeted by bombardments from Rwanda Defence Force (RDF)–Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) positions. Kamikaze drones have struck civilian areas. More than 500,000 people have been newly displaced. South Kivu, already fragile, is reaching a breaking point. These facts have been documented by the humanitarian mechanisms and confirmed by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. They also create a major risk of regionalization: shots have already been fired in Burundi. Uvira is only 30 kilometres from Bujumbura. No neighbouring country can be exposed to such attacks without the risk of escalation. Regional stability cannot depend on the normalization of such serious violations. Less than a week after the signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, certain actors have chosen to deviate from the commitments they freely accepted. The use of reverse narratives and systematic disinformation to attribute responsibility to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for attacks committed by the RDF-M23 coalition is a strategy that has now been well documented by international mechanisms. We cannot accept manipulation becoming an instrument of regional politics. The facts are stubborn. The resolutions of the Council are even more so. The truth is not negotiable, and international law cannot be misused to legitimize aggression. The violations observed contravene resolution 2773 (2025), the agreement signed on 27 June in Washington D.C., the agreement signed on 4 December in Washington D.C., the declaration of principles and the Doha framework agreement and the very conditions for the implementation of the Regional Economic Integration Framework, also signed in Washington D.C. Today, it is the credibility of all of these processes — and their guarantors — that is at stake. (spoke in English) We have reached a moment of truth. Either the international order accepts being openly defied, namely by Rwanda, or the Council assumes its responsibility. Impunity has gone on for far too long. The Congolese people cannot continue to bear the cost of commitments that are violated and resolutions that are not implemented. The facts are clear. The ceasefire demanded by resolution 2773 (2025) has not been respected. Foreign forces, namely the RDF, remain on Congolese soil. Civilians continue to be targeted. Humanitarian access is being obstructed, and disinformation is being used deliberately to invert responsibilities and shield the perpetrators. The credibility of all peace processes — Washington, Doha, and the African facilitation — depends on one principle: accountability. Without consequences, agreements have no force. Without consequences, the cycle of violence will continue. Resolution 2773 (2025) is not lacking in clarity. What is lacking is its enforcement. A resolution that is not enforced does not deter violence; it invites it. When violations carry no cost, impunity becomes policy. The responsibility now before the Council is not to restate its decisions, but to enforce them. (spoke in French) Nine months after the unanimous adoption of resolution 2773 (2025), the evidence is stark. Another city has fallen. A parallel administration has consolidated its power. Thousands more families have fled. Others have been killed, raped, terrorized. Even MONUSCO — Blue Helmets, civilian personnel, leadership — has been targeted. During those nine months, the Council has taken no concrete action to enforce its own resolution and to defend its own Mission. It has launched appeals and issued warnings but has taken no action. This failure to act has allowed Rwanda to continue and expand its operations in an environment where violations are met with no consequences. The time has come for the Council to address a fundamental question: how, in three decades of crisis, has the absence of coercive measures contributed to the persistence of these violations? Resolution 2773 (2025) remains the compass for United Nations engagement. It must be applied in its entirety, without ambiguity or exception. The Democratic Republic of the Congo calls for a robust mandate that is consistent, adapted to the realities on the ground, and protective of the very authority of the Council. The renewed mandate must guarantee the protection of civilians; reaffirm the withdrawal of foreign forces; support humanitarian operations; explicitly include the protection of Blue Helmets, civilian personnel and MONUSCO leadership; condemn any attacks against them; and prevent any circumvention of the Council's decisions. Indeed, the obstruction of the United Nations mandate by Rwanda and the M23 can never justify its weakening. The Council cannot yield in the face of those who would defy it and its authority. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is an African country. It is also a full member of the international community. We respect African solutions to African problems, but this cannot become legal relativism that allows universal standards to be circumvented. There is no regional version of human rights or sovereignty. Any lasting solution must be based on the universal principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The Congolese people have chosen peace. They have asked for it, negotiated it and signed it. They must not pay the price for the bad faith of those who turn their backs on their commitments. Peace cannot be based on broken promises. The Congolese people have a right to security, justice and respect for international law. The Council must act to ensure that these rights do not remain theoretical but finally become a reality. That is why the Democratic Republic of the Congo calls on the Council to fully implement resolution 2773 (2025), impose targeted sanctions against the military and political leaders responsible for the aggression, establish a total embargo on minerals exported as Rwandan, revoke Rwanda's status as a troop contributor to peace operations and establish a systematic notification regime for all arms transfers to Rwanda. The guarantors of Washington and Doha and of the African facilitation process must also shoulder their responsibilities. The Accords will only survive if there is a collective and coherent resolve. It is now up to the international community in order to ensure that the commitments made are honoured and to finally enable the advent of lasting peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and throughout the Great Lakes region.

I now give the floor to the representative of Rwanda.

Allow me to begin, Mr. President, by commending you for your effective leadership of the Council this month. I also extend Rwanda’s appreciation to the Council members concluding their terms. Their service and contributions to the Council’s work have been invaluable. I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and Mr. Mohamed Javid Abdelmoneim for their briefings and take note of the Secretary-General’s report (S/2025/779). I also acknowledge the statements made by those who spoke before me. As the Council considers the next mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), Rwanda hopes for a Mission that is clearly anchored in and that reinforces the Washington Agreement and the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement, both of which are rightly identified in the Secretary-General’s report as the central avenues for a sustainable peace. The mandate must, therefore, prioritize strict impartiality and political neutrality; support for ceasefire implementation and political dialogue; robust compliance with the human rights due diligence policy; timely suspension and reporting mechanisms, where required; no offensive operations against parties formally engaged in political processes; and a realistic, resource- conscious focus on stability, accountability and political solutions. These priorities reflect the realities outlined in the Secretary-General’s report. MONUSCO’s effectiveness will depend on aligning its operations with the political tracks, which offer the only viable path forward. The Washington Agreement and the Doha process are complementary, mutually reinforcing frameworks. When the Mission supports them consistently and impartially, it can help to create the necessary space for implementation. Rwanda reiterates its full commitment to implementing its part of the Agreement. We also believe that the success of the Agreement will depend on the political will of both parties. The recent situation in South Kivu has been extensively discussed. Allow me a moment to also address it. In doing so, logically, one may question why I am addressing the matter. But there is a background to that. In 1994, in this Chamber, Ambassador Kovanda of the Czech Republic, Ambassador Keating of New Zealand and Ambassador Gambari of Nigeria said that an ethnic group in Rwanda was being exterminated (see S/PV.3377). They had never been to Rwanda, but they discharged their responsibility and confronted the denial and silence of this Chamber to call the genocide what it was, as it was happening in Rwanda. I must say that I am here today and I survive today because those courageous diplomats discharged their duty. The situation in South Kivu and the general situation obtaining after the Washington Agreement is a collection of many situations, including the ceasefire, which was not only repeatedly broken by the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government but also undermined by announcements that it would never stop attacks, including offensive air attacks. Even as the diplomatic tracks move forward, the situation on the ground in South Kivu continues to deteriorate in ways the Council cannot morally or legally ignore. Over the past year, and in reality since 2017, the Banyamulenge, a Tutsi Kinyarwanda-speaking community of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have endured well documented systematic and escalating persecution. I just want to address this area alone, among many things which, taken together, caused the situation we are in. Allow me to highlight just a few incidents that are part of the sustained and systematic campaign of persecution of the Banyamulenge, Kinyarwanda-speaking Tutsi ethnic group. Since 2017, more than 85 per cent of Banyamulenge villages in South Kivu have been destroyed. An estimated 700,000 cattle, their economic lifeline, were raided and killed. On 25 August 2025, Wazalendo militias and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding that all Banyamulenge leave Uvira or be killed. The ultimatum further prohibited them from accessing markets, water points and other essential means of survival. On 4 September 2025, the decision was made to deny the Banyamulenge civilians access to public water points on the grounds that they were enemies. From 5 to 8 September 2025, Banyamulenge civilians were abducted and shot, while mobs chanted for the end of the Banyamulenge. These are early warning indicators of atrocity crimes: discrimination, dehumanization, forced displacement and denial of basic services. Tens of thousands of Burundian soldiers were deployed into South Kivu, on the invitation of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is in addition to the presence of the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR), mercenaries, Wazalendo and other militias. These troops established coordinated military blockades which exacerbated the aforementioned situation. I wanted to highlight here that there are other ethnic groups in that area. There are Babembe and Bafurero people and there is another ethnic group that I do not remember. But the conditions that I am describing were imposed only on the Banyamulenge Tutsi ethnic group. The operations, alongside the FARDC and FDLR and the affiliated militias, imposed a siege on the Banyamulenge population resulting in the communities in the Minembwe highlands being deprived of food, medicine and humanitarian access for nearly a year. This situation was exacerbated by coordinated military blockades. On 16 to 18 October 2025, the only road to the Mitamba market was closed, cutting off food supplies to civilians. On 6 September 2025, a group of 80 to 100 Banyamulenge civilians, mostly women returning with food for their starving families, were ambushed by FARDC-Burundian Mai-Mai coalition forces, and reports indicate there were killings, torture and sexual violence. Equally well known but disregarded is the scale of air attacks carried out by Democratic Republic of the Congo Government forces and their allies, which continue to affect the civilians already under siege, including, among many others, the following. On 29 August 2025 and multiple other dates, repeated drone strikes hit the outskirts of Banyamulenge internally displaced person camps around Mikenke. On 27 September 2025, a Burundian CH-4 drone bombed Nzibira in South Kivu. On 15 November 2025, Kinshasa-operated drones bombed Mikenke, a village hosting Banyamulenge internally displaced persons. Between March and December this year, there have been 50 air attacks in this area. No one is speaking about this. I would appreciate a situation in which, another day, we could be told that this did not happen. We raised this — at least I did — with some members of the Council, individually. We raised this in the Chamber. Nothing was done. The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as an inviting authority, should be responsible for the action and conduct on the ground of the Burundian forces and their allies. As I just said, Rwanda has not been silent in the face of these developments. Our Minister for Foreign Affairs has raised the topic of the blockade directly with the mediators — the United States and Qatar — the representatives of the European Union and the African Union. As I just said, I raised it with individual members of the Council. I raised it with the penholder, some presidencies and the heads of some mechanisms in the region, and nothing happened. Taking into account the factual situation, the wide context of hate ideology in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the inherent legal and moral obligation, allow me to ask a question: has the Security Council not been aware of this situation, or did the situation not merit its attention? As we address the situation in South Kivu, we must consider what the situation was before the recent escalation. As a former investigator myself, there is what we call recreating the scene. From where we sit, we can only state the facts. But the Security Council can, using the wide possibilities it has to recreate the scene, choose to recreate it. But that is how it will look. In the light of all the principles about which we have spoken — sovereignty, territorial integrity — Rwanda is part of that multilateral belief that must be respected. But the existence of the FDLR threatens all of that. Yes, facts are stubborn, and resolutions are more stubborn. And in the resolutions, one stubborn fact is that the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government has supported the FDLR for the past 30 years. The FDLR does not just threaten the territorial integrity of Rwanda; it threatens the very existence of Rwanda and its people. One of my uncles paid money in 1994 so that he could be killed by a bullet, because that was the situation — one either chose to be shot or died by machete. One of my uncles paid money to be killed by a bullet. So, everyone can decide not to care about the situation of Rwanda and the threat that we face — all these people on behalf of whom I am talking because nobody else does, in the situation they face. But do we also ask them to be participants in their own situation, to be part of the plan for their own extermination? Can we go that far? To conclude, we thank the mediators very much. We are most profoundly grateful for the ongoing efforts of the mediators, particularly the United States, to address the most recent situation. We are a willing participant in the process to find a viable solution forward, because we believe that if we all commit to implementing in good faith the commitments that we made in Washington and if we support fully the Doha process, then we might be able to have a peaceful solution to the conflict with which we have lived for many years. This problem has gone on for too long, and it is our request and our appeal that we should all focus on supporting the present avenues for a peaceful solution. I will not go into what we said in the past. We have been here many times. Why do we have defensive measures, and how are they going to be lifted? All those issues are addressed in the agreements, and we shall continue to work with the mediators and ensure that we do our part to meet the challenge.

I now give the floor to the representative of Burundi.

I would first like to congratulate Slovenia on its presidency this month and for putting this briefing on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) on the Security Council’s agenda. Burundi thanks the Secretary- General for presenting his report (S/2025/779) and commends MONUSCO’s tireless efforts in extremely complex conditions. We also welcome the opportunity afforded to us to share our assessment of the security situation and would like to draw the Security Council’s attention to the dramatic developments in the security and humanitarian situation, in particular in the town of Uvira and its surroundings, and to the massive displacement of populations, with thousands of refugees currently in Burundi, in particular in the province of Bujumbura in the commune of Cibitoke. Burundi wishes to denounce the repeated and ongoing violation of resolution 2773 (2025) manifested by the Rwandan army’s takeover of Uvira. These operations have targeted civilians and resulted in countless civilian casualties. We are particularly concerned about the cross-border attacks, including the use of artillery, drones and other lethal means, some of which have reached localities on Burundian territory. These acts violate the sovereignty of Burundi, compromise the security of civilians and undermine collective peace efforts. We believe that the moment demands clarity, political courage and a collective commitment to the full implementation of Security Council resolutions, in particular resolution 2773 (2025). The commitments made recently, including those endorsed in the agreements signed in Washington, must be respected by all parties, without ambiguity or preconditions. We therefore call on the Council to do the following. First, it must ensure that the Council’s resolutions are applied impartially, as the collective credibility of the Council depends on its ability to guarantee their effective implementation. The relevance and credibility of MONUSCO are at stake. Secondly, it must protect civilians, especially women and children, who remain the main victims of a conflict that has been imposed on them. Thirdly, we call on the Council to advocate for emergency humanitarian assistance in response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the acute lack of resources available to United Nations agencies to meet the basic needs of refugees in Gatumba and Cibitoke. Fourthly, we also call on the Council to convene an urgent meeting of the Council, at which it could take robust measures to halt this dangerous escalation, including an arms embargo and economic sanctions to prevent the continuation of these deadly military operations, which violate international law and the Charter of the United Nations in particular. Fifthly, we also call on the Council to support the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring States in coordinated efforts to combat armed groups, with strict respect for the recognized international borders. Lastly, we call on the Council to strengthen its support for regional oversight and verification mechanisms to document violations, prevent escalation and rebuild trust. Furthermore, Burundi would like to inform the Council that it has taken seriously the message sent by the bombs launched from Rwanda on 4 December onto Burundian territory, in Cibitoke Province, injuring a woman and a child. We consider that act to be a serious provocation and a demonstration of a belligerent attitude which we strongly condemn. I want to be clear: restraint has its limits. If those irresponsible attacks continue, it will become extremely difficult to avoid a direct escalation between our two countries. Burundi will not tolerate repeated violations of its territorial integrity and reserves the right to exercise self-defence in accordance with the provisions of Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. Burundi remains a reliable partner for regional peace and security. While it has been able to defend civilian populations with dignity in all the missions in which it has been deployed, Burundi cannot stand idly by in the face of provocations and violations of its territorial integrity, attacks against its population and threats to the stability of its borders. Our message today is therefore a call for restraint, for firmness against proven violations and for concerted action that will enable eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in particular areas such as Uvira, to finally glimpse a future of lasting peace.

The representative of Rwanda has asked for the floor to make a further statement. Before giving him the floor, I just want to say that I do not want to prolong the exchanges, which will not help implement the agreements or resolution 2773 (2025) or protect the civilians who are suffering. Council members have heard his messages very clearly. That is why I will ask him to take the floor only once. I now give him the floor.

I do not have any intention of unnecessarily prolonging the discussion. I just wanted to clarify that Rwanda is not waging war against the Republic of Burundi and has no intention of doing that. To the contrary, there has been an attack from the territory of Burundi on the area of Bugarama in Rwanda and on some parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, resulting in refugees coming to Rwanda. I believe the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is already involved in that process. I wanted to make that clarification.

There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. I now invite Council members to informal consultations to continue our discussion on the subject.