S/PV.9853 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Security Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Angola, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guatemala, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Uruguay and Zimbabwe to participate in this meeting. On behalf of the Council, I welcome 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. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Ms. Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Protection and Operations of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I give the floor to Ms. Van de Perre. Ms. Van de Perre: I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this emergency meeting of the Security Council to follow up on the situation in Goma. Allow me to share with you our understanding of the current situation and the implications for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). The escalating clashes in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo have resulted in massive displacement. More than 178,000 people fled Kalehe territory when the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) took over Minova, with more than 34,000 seeking refuge in already overcrowded internally displaced persons sites in and around Goma. The surge has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian and protection situation, overwhelming Goma’s infrastructure and compounding challenges related to water, electricity and medical services. Despite the deliberations and the appeal by Member States at the emergency Council meeting on 26 January (see S/PV.9849), the M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force launched an attack on Goma using heavy direct and indirect fire within hours of the conclusion of the Security Council meeting. The attacks continue to ravage the city, killing, injuring, traumatizing and displacing civilians and exacerbating the crisis. In accordance with its obligations under international humanitarian law, in the past few days MONUSCO has received a large number of people seeking refuge, including officials and various elements who have surrendered their arms, once again underscoring the critical role of peacekeeping in such a volatile environment. The Mission’s human rights component also continues to receive requests for individual protection measures from human rights defenders and civil society organizations and is working internally and with external partners to ensure their safety. However, MONUSCO’s bases are not able to accommodate the large numbers of surrendering elements and civilians seeking refuge. Moreover, the bases themselves are not safe. Two mortars have fallen on MONUSCO bases and compounds in the past three days, as well as countless bullets. Installations of formed police unit staff in Jambar camp have been destroyed and burned. MONUSCO is storing voluntarily relinquished or abandoned weapons in accordance with international standards and is taking concrete steps to secure those weapons, surrendered by various fighting elements, Casualty evacuation efforts remain a significant challenge. During the fighting in Sake, which began four days ago, peacekeepers were seriously injured. We continue to do our utmost to ensure the timely evacuation of injured peacekeepers and other casualties to our level 3 hospital in Goma, despite the continuing challenges. The fighting in the past week has also severely hampered supply convoys and consumed many resources held by MONUSCO’s units. Damage to camp equipment, including water tanks, generators and vehicles, has further exacerbated the situation. Many troops are now running out of critical supplies, especially water, food, medical supplies and blood. In some camps, fuel shortages have rendered generators inoperable, affecting communications equipment. In addition, a significant number of non-combatants have sought refuge in MONUSCO’s camps and are in need of food, water and medical care, straining already limited supplies. The MONUSCO warehouse at the airport has been looted, further depleting supplies. The courthouse in Goma has also been looted, and I could go on. The proliferation of weapons in Goma poses a significant risk as combatants blend into the civilian population and abandoned military depots are looted by civilians. The mass influx of internally displaced persons without shelter, the separation of families, the proliferation of armed elements and the escape of prisoners following a breakout from Goma prison are increasing the vulnerability of women and children to sexual and gender-based violence. In line with the appeal of the Bishop of Goma, we therefore call on all parties, and the population in general, to guarantee the protection of life and access to basic services for all and to prevent sexual violence. Armed clashes in Masisi, Rutshuru, and Nyiragongo continue to result in civilian casualties and displacement, further escalating the humanitarian crisis. Electricity and water supplies in Goma continue to be disrupted, and its medical facilities are completely overwhelmed. Owing to the intense ongoing combat and the proximity of the front lines, humanitarian operations have been suspended or readjusted. Immediate action is required to alleviate the suffering of civilians and enable life-saving humanitarian efforts to proceed. Moreover, ethnically motivated attacks in a region with a very sensitive history must be taken seriously. In the past four days, the Human Rights Office has documented at least one case of an ethnically motivated lynching in a site for internally displaced persons in Goma and physical and verbal violence against journalists in Goma, all owing to their perceived ethnic identity. In the light of the ongoing crisis, we urgently need jamming and spoofing to end and humanitarian corridors to be established between Goma, Minova and Bukavu. That will enable essential items to be resupplied and humanitarian staff rotated, as well as the safe movement of civilians. We also appeal for establishing high-level diplomatic channels to ensure that critical airports, border points and humanitarian access routes are reopened without delay. We stress that military action cannot resolve this conflict. It is imperative that all parties cease hostilities and commit to political dialogue in order to prevent further civilian suffering. A resumption of the Luanda process is of the utmost urgency if we are to ensure a path to de-escalation and avert the looming threat of a third Congo war. We remind all parties of their obligation to uphold international humanitarian law and stress that attacks on United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes. The degree of suffering that the population in Goma and its environs is enduring is truly unimaginable. Let us please draw on our humanity and do our utmost to bring an immediate end to such levels of violence and suffering. In conclusion, the situation in Goma requires urgent and coordinated international action. Despite the significant challenges, MONUSCO continues to play a vital role in this crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and has proved to be

I thank Ms. Van de Perre for her statement. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I thank the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for her briefing, and I welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to our meeting today. The Security Council is once again meeting because of the continuing deterioration of the situation in North Kivu. As we speak, the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) is taking control of Goma with Rwanda’s active support. That should be a wake-up call for the Council, as was the case 12 years ago. There is a real risk of regional spillover. The capture of Goma entails major risks for the security of the population and is displacing hundreds of thousands of people. The situation must be brought to an end. France strongly condemns the M23’s offensive, which it should cease immediately and withdraw from the areas that it is now controlling. Support for armed groups by all parties must stop. The priority is therefore to return to the ceasefire and a resumption of dialogue. There is no military way out of the conflict. France reaffirms its solidarity with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its unwavering commitment to its territorial integrity and its sovereignty. In this situation, as in others, the Charter of the United Nations must be respected. France is maintaining its contacts at the highest level with a view to restarting a political process. We welcome the regional mobilization and hope that today’s meeting of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and tomorrow’s Summit of the Heads of State of the East African Community will make it possible to move towards lasting peace. The dialogue initiated within the framework of the Luanda and Nairobi processes must be resumed without delay. France fully supports those regional processes and calls on the parties to respect their commitments made in the framework of the Luanda process, that is, the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory and the implementation of the plan to dismantle the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda. Lastly, France wishes to firmly reiterate its support for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), whose mandate was unanimously renewed on 20 December (resolution 2765 (2024)). We condemn the M23’s attacks on it, which have led to the death of several peacekeepers in the past few days, and we express our condolences to their families. United Nations personnel and property must be respected. We want to remind everyone that attacks on Blue Helmets, as well as civilians and humanitarian personnel, may constitute war crimes. Full humanitarian access must be guaranteed and violations of international humanitarian law and human rights condemned. France once again condemns the deployment of surface-to-air missile systems and the jamming of GPS signals in areas controlled by the M23 with the direct support of the Rwanda Defence Force. MONUSCO must be able to continue its mission to protect civilians. The situation in Goma has major humanitarian and political consequences. We will ensure that the Council remains fully mobilized in the face of the seriousness of the situation. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the members of the three African members of the Security Council, namely, Algeria, Somalia and my own country, Sierra Leone, together with Guyana (A3+). At the outset, we want to pay tribute to the brave peacekeepers and personnel of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the other United Nations staff who are risking their lives in the pursuit of peace and the protection of civilians in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We also honour the peacekeepers and personnel of the Southern African Development Community Mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC) who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace. Our deep condolences go to their families and to the Governments and peoples of South Africa, Malawi and Uruguay. We also want to express our gratitude to Ms. Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Protection and Operations of MONUSCO, for her comprehensive briefing on the dire 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, as well as the representatives of all the other States participating in this meeting. We commend the swift convening of today’s emergency meeting. The Security Council has met for a second time in less than 72 hours to address the rapidly evolving situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The A3+ is deeply concerned about the volatility of the situation, the ongoing conflict and the resulting stalemate, which presents a high risk of a broader regional conflict. We have listened attentively to Ms. Van de Perre’s briefing, and it is clear that the people of Goma, and indeed the wider Congolese population, deserve more than a temporary cessation of the offensive by the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23)/Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC). They need the guns to be silenced through a comprehensive political process that will not only end their suffering but guarantee respect for the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. In that regard, we would like to make the following points. First, we call for an immediate de-escalation of the tension and a restoration of calm in Goma. We urge the M23/AFC to cease its advances, and for all parties to exercise the utmost restraint so as to ensure the protection of civilians. Given the unpredictable and volatile nature of the situation in Goma and the surrounding areas, it is imperative that all efforts, whether by MONUSCO or other actors, focus on safeguarding the population from harm. Given Goma’s critical role in facilitating access to the region, all efforts to protect civilians must also address the need for humanitarian access, as well as the safety and security of United Nations peacekeepers and SAMIDRC personnel. The M23/AFC must refrain from obstructing humanitarian assistance and closing humanitarian corridors. The A3+ stresses the critical need for uninterrupted aid to reach the most vulnerable people and reminds all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilian lives and ensure the delivery of aid to those in need. Secondly, as we have said before, the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo cannot be resolved through military means. It requires a political solution supported by diplomacy and regional cooperation. Since our meeting on Sunday (see S/PV.9849), we have seen significant African diplomatic efforts aimed at supporting the Congolese people and encouraging both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to reach a mutually acceptable settlement. We recognize the leadership of President Ruto of Kenya, who has called a meeting of the East Those regional efforts are commendable, but what is needed now is the commitment of both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to engaging in direct negotiations under the Luanda process, in good faith, with the support of all those initiatives to bring a prompt resolution of the situation in Goma. We call firmly on both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to fully engage under the Luanda process, led by the African Union’s designated mediator, President Lourenço of Angola, in order to resolve the outstanding issues between them. We are aware that the longer the deadlock persists, the greater the risk of further escalation, which will become increasingly difficult to contain. If the political leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo can engage in direct talks, there is hope that much-needed relief can be delivered to the Congolese people. Thirdly, to achieve a lasting solution that fully respects the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while also addressing Rwanda’s security concerns, it is critical for both countries to fully implement their commitments under the Luanda process. The A3+ remains convinced that the Luanda process offers the best pathway to peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Through it a ceasefire agreement was reached, though subsequently regrettably breached, along with an agreement on a harmonized plan, a reinforced ad hoc verification mechanism and a comprehensive concept of operations. The A3+ calls on all the parties to honour their commitments under the process. Given the unfortunate developments on the ground, and with a view to ensuring peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the wider region, the A3+ urges the Government of Rwanda to withdraw its troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo without preconditions or delay, and to cease its reported support to the M23/AFC. Similarly, we urge the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to sever its ties with the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda and implement its commitment to neutralizing that group. We also regret that President Lourenço had no choice but to evacuate members of the reinforced ad hoc verification mechanism owing to the untenable security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. While the ceasefire agreement has been violated, the mechanism remains incomplete and has not been fully operationalized. Fourthly, the natural wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must translate into prosperity for its people. All actors, local and external, that continue to illegally exploit the country’s resources and fuel the conflict must be held accountable. The A3+ expresses its deep concern and regret regarding the reported attacks on Embassies in Kinshasa amid protests related to the M23/AFC rebel group’s offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Those acts against diplomatic missions and their personnel violate international law. While acknowledging the legitimate concerns of the Congolese people regarding the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the activities of the M23 rebel group, we call for the protection of diplomatic missions and strongly urge all parties to refrain from violence, respect diplomatic norms and exercise restraint. Peaceful, constructive engagement remains the most effective way to address those pressing issues. In conclusion, we are all well aware of the critical importance of Goma to the Congolese people. Goma is at the heart of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Allowing that vital city to remain under the control of a rebel group sends a disturbing message about the ability and willingness of the international community to prevent

Let me start by thanking Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General Van de Perre for briefing us today, and I welcome the participation of Foreign Minister Kayikwamba Wagner of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, alongside other representatives from the region and troop-contributing countries. The United Kingdom is deeply alarmed by the events that have unfolded in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since we met on Sunday, the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23), with support from the Rwanda Defence Force, have closed in on Goma. The M23 have declared that it is now under their control. The humanitarian impacts are dire. The advances have displaced close to 1 million people in North and South Kivu. Civilian casualties are rising. Hundreds of thousands of people who have already fled from the M23’s advances, many of them several times before, are now on the move again, with virtually nowhere safe to go. How many times must they pack up their lives and flee? The cycle must end. The United Kingdom is also deeply concerned by the limited ability of humanitarian actors to get help to those who need it. Key humanitarian routes — land, water and air — are closed, and hospitals are overcrowded, with staff risking their own lives to provide emergency assistance. More than 800,000 people in the area who were prioritized for support may no longer receive vital food and nutritional assistance. We call on the parties not to obstruct the vital services that humanitarians are providing and to cease hostilities and uphold the protection of humanitarian workers, as required by international humanitarian law. We also urge all parties to consider essential humanitarian corridors to allow the resupply and delivery of essential life-saving items and the freedom and safe movement of civilians and humanitarian actors. The United Kingdom is also deeply concerned by the continued endangering of peacekeepers’ lives. On Sunday, I expressed my condolences to the families of the 13 who had already been killed. Since then, four more peacekeepers have tragically been killed. We urge an immediate end to this violence. We commend the leadership of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and their courage under fire, and we thank them for their vital work of the Mission. Finally, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Africa have spoken with Rwanda at the highest levels, as well as with wider partners in the region, and we have made clear that there can be no military solution. We urge all parties to cease hostilities and return to diplomatic talks immediately without preconditions. We remain committed to ensuring that the Council takes the necessary action to support an end to this conflict.

We thank Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General Vivian van de Perre for her briefing. We welcome the participation in this meeting of Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the representatives of other countries that requested the floor under rule 37. Two days ago, we met in this Chamber to discuss the alarming developments in the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (see S/PV.9849). Over the past 48 hours, the situation has significantly deteriorated, especially with the seizure of Goma, where more than 1 million civilians are located. Russia strongly condemns the actions of the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23). We call for an immediate We are seriously concerned by the humanitarian repercussions of what is taking place. Before our very eyes, the already dire situation in North Kivu is turning into an utter humanitarian disaster. Goma is de facto cut off from the outside world. That may have serious consequences for the inhabitants of the town and the internally displaced persons who have fled there. Once again, we would like to express our condolences to the families of the civilian victims of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the slain United Nations peacekeepers and the fallen soldiers of the Southern African Development Community. We stand in solidarity with the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and of those States that have lost their service personnel. We wish a speedy recovery to all those injured. We would like to underscore that Russia unequivocally condemns the attacks on peacekeepers; that is absolutely unacceptable. We firmly support the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, its leadership and the Blue Helmets. We also condemn any attacks and acts of aggression against foreign diplomatic representation. Such actions have absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with peaceful demonstrations. We urge Kinshasa to ensure the protection of foreign missions and diplomatic staff, pursuant to the Vienna Convention and its international obligations. The violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo must stop. However, there is no military path to resolve this crisis. It is absolutely clear that that can be achieved only through a political agreement. We are convinced that the Luanda process remains the best forum in which to reach an agreement. We carefully listened to the representative of Angola during the Council meeting on Sunday. He clearly stated that the only obstacle preventing the signing of a reconciliation document between Kinshasa and Kigali was the issue of the cessation of government interaction with illegal armed groups, primarily with the M23. Without settling the status of that group as part of the intra-Congolese dialogue, any attempts to improve relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda will not bear lasting fruit, hence the urgent need to either relaunch the Nairobi process or to push forward similar regional initiatives. There is no alternative to that. Attempts to settle the crisis will also not bear fruit if the countries of the Great Lakes region fail to take decisive measures to combat the illegal exploitation and smuggling of natural resources. The lion’s share of those resources, as we all know, comes from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is beset by instability. There is also a need for extra-regional “players” and large transnational corporations to reconsider their approach to the use of those resources; it is precisely those corporations that are interested in the unabated illegal supply of “blood” minerals. The States have all the tools that they need to stop the hot phase of the conflict and to exert pressure on the parties to return to negotiations. Those tools must be harnessed to save people’s lives and to end the suffering of hundreds of thousands of civilians. Unfortunately, we have all seen that the statement adopted by the Council has not stopped the M23 and those who support that group from seizing Goma and continuing their hostilities.

I thank Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General Vivian van de Perre for her briefing on the unacceptable events of the past 48 hours. The United States condemns the seizure of Goma and urges the Council to consider measures to halt the territorial advances by Rwandan troops and the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23). We stand in firm support of the Congolese people and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and urge Rwanda to respect the same. At the same time, we are watching with concern and deplore the destruction of diplomatic facilities in Kinshasa, and we call on the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Government to respect its obligations to protect diplomatic premises and personnel. We urge for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the fighting. Rwanda must withdraw its troops from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The two countries must return to the negotiating table and work towards a sustainable peaceful solution. We remain deeply concerned about the human rights abuses, displacement and other impacts on Congolese civilians, who are bearing the brunt of the fighting. Civilians, including the growing numbers of internally displaced persons and refugees in Sake, Goma and beyond, must be protected. It is more important than ever to ensure that humanitarian actors are allowed to operate freely and deliver life-saving aid. The rights of all Goma’s inhabitants, including former combatants, must be respected. We are similarly concerned about the possibility that the M23 and Rwanda’s ongoing advances are opening up a bloody new front in the conflict in South Kivu, which is no longer benefiting from the roles that the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) played in the past in protecting civilians and facilitate humanitarian assistance. We must not allow the violence to spiral into a wider regional conflict, which would result in a horrific human toll. We mourn all the Congolese who have lost their lives in the fighting. We also extend our heartfelt condolences to the countries and families of the United Nations peacekeepers and the troops of the Southern African Development Community Mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo who have been lost in the attacks. We applaud MONUSCO’s commitment to protecting civilians and the bravery and professionalism that the peacekeepers have demonstrated in recent weeks. As we have said before, Rwanda’s support for the M23 remains wholly at odds with its robust support for United Nations peacekeeping. Rwanda said on Sunday that it means no harm to MONUSCO (see S/PV.9849), but three peacekeepers have been killed and many more injured. In addition, United Nations and humanitarian personnel and civilians are endangered by Rwanda’s ongoing use of GPS interference and its deployment of advanced weapons and systems. Hope is not lost. There is an end in sight to the fighting and a path for regional dialogue, but the international community must act now. Those unwilling to return to the negotiating table must face a clear and unambiguous response from the Council. We must abandon the delusion of short-term military solutions and instead work for a durable peace, powered by regional economic arrangements for the vast mineral wealth of the Great Lakes that can ensure stability and prosperity for the local populations. Addressing historical grievances and ending ethnic attacks and other underlying causes of the conflict must be done through a process that has clear incentives and unmistakable accountability.

I thank Ms. Van de Perre for her briefing on the serious and evolving situation and welcome the presence of Her Excellency Foreign Minister Kayikwamba Wagner at this meeting. Just two days ago, the Council convened urgently to address the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (see S/PV.9849). We were briefed on the dramatic escalation, with Goma on a knife edge, peacekeepers being killed and civilians fleeing. Today the situation has continued to deteriorate. I want to make it clear that Denmark strongly condemns the ongoing offensive by the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) with support from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and Rwanda’s military presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We demand that the M23, supported by the RDF, immediately halt and reverse the territorial expansion and withdraw. We demand that Rwanda cease its support for the M23 and that the Democratic Republic of the Congo cease its support for the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda. We have all seen the devastating images of shelling and heavy artillery in the centre of the city of Goma, with civilians fleeing, overcrowded hospitals and ongoing looting. Denmark is extremely concerned about the risk of urban conflict and sexual violence following the influx of armed elements and the Goma prison escape. Likewise, we are deeply alarmed by the risk of attacks on human rights defenders, who now fear individual persecution and ethnically motivated attacks. We are also very concerned about the recent attacks on diplomatic missions in Kinshasa, which are unacceptable. Against that dangerous and rapidly developing backdrop, allow me to highlight four key points. First, Denmark demands an immediate cessation of hostilities and unhindered, rapid and safe humanitarian access to all populations in and around Goma. That includes open humanitarian corridors and open land borders and airspace, and its importance cannot be understated. In line with international humanitarian law, medical and humanitarian personnel must be protected and their ability to provide life-saving care ensured. The parties must engage with United Nations humanitarian actors for deconfliction purposes and allow trauma and specialized medical teams urgent access. Upholding international humanitarian law is not an option but an obligation. Secondly, Denmark firmly condemns any form of violence targeting civilians and objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian populations. We demand their immediate protection and respect for human rights, regardless of people’s ethnicity, gender or age. The perpetrators of any attacks on civilians must be held to account, no matter their rank or affiliation. Thirdly, we express our full support for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) as it fulfils its critical mandate in extremely difficult circumstances. We remind the parties that any involvement in attacks on MONUSCO peacekeepers may constitute a war crime and a basis for sanctions designations pursuant to Security Council resolutions. Fourthly, as we underlined just two days ago, there can be no military solution to the conflict, only a political one. We urge the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to fully re-engage and recommit immediately and in good faith to In conclusion, the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo deserve peace. The peoples of the Great Lakes region deserve peace. As the United Nations organ charged with the maintenance of international peace and security, the Council should act decisively in support of that goal, and it can count on Denmark’s support.

We thank the Algerian presidency for convening this urgent meeting and Ms. Van de Perre for her briefing. Just two days ago, the Council condemned the advances of the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) and demanded that the offensive and the advances on Goma stop immediately (see S/PV.9849). Unfortunately, the developments since then have only confirmed our fears. The M23’s continued offensive, including the seizure of Goma with support from the Rwanda Defence Force, is a clear threat to regional stability. We strongly condemn those actions. Slovenia renews its demand for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional withdrawal of the M23 from the occupied areas. The risk of the conflict escalating into a wider regional crisis must not be underestimated, and recent developments have only amplified those fears. Our message is clear. The violence must stop, and diplomacy must take the lead. Slovenia continues to call on Rwanda to fully withdraw its forces from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in accordance with international law and to cease its support for the M23. We strongly condemn the ongoing violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which must be respected. We also continue to call on the Democratic Republic of the Congo to cease all cooperation with the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda and other armed groups. We are gravely alarmed by the escalating risks in Goma and its surroundings, including the risks presented by urban fighting and the use of heavy weapons in densely populated areas. There is no time to waste. This is yet another nightmare chapter in an ongoing conflict, forcing hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee — and for too many of them not for the first time. They are living in fear, they are hungry and they are exposed to vulnerabilities, which are further intensified by the presence and influx of armed elements. Restoring and returning to an agreed ceasefire is imperative, but immediate measures are also needed to protect civilians, humanitarian and medical facilities and critical infrastructure, including electricity, water and communication networks. Safe humanitarian corridors are essential to the delivery of aid and the evacuation of civilians. Heavy weapons and troops must be withdrawn from sites for internally displaced persons. And we cannot stress this enough — international humanitarian and human rights law must be upheld by all parties, at all times. We call on both countries to exercise maximum restraint. We remain hopeful that strong African engagement through the African Union, the East African Community and the Luanda process can help to turn the tide through dialogue, and we commend those efforts. Strengthened by the Council’s continued engagement and bilateral efforts, those actions highlight the value of complementing all paths to peace, and Slovenia fully supports them. We urge Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to heed the calls for peace — from the region and the wider international community and especially from the people fleeing bullets and bombs — and to de-escalate and re-engage in a diplomatic process. We strongly support the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in its vital mission to protect In conclusion, I want to express Slovenia’s great concern about the attacks on diplomatic missions in Kinshasa. Any such actions are entirely unacceptable and a clear violation of international law. We call for the protection of diplomatic missions in strict accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this emergency meeting following the previous one on Sunday (see S/PV.9849). I thank Ms. Van de Perre for her sobering briefing and welcome the Foreign Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the representatives of Uruguay and Rwanda to this meeting. At the outset, the Republic of Korea reaffirms its steadfast support for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the regional and subregional organizations involved for their tireless efforts to address this perilous crisis. We also reiterate our firm commitment to ensuring the safety and security of MONUSCO’s peacekeepers. At the same time, we strongly condemn the attacks on diplomatic missions in Kinshasa and call urgently for their immediate cessation. We urge the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to fulfil its obligations under international law by ensuring that all diplomatic missions within its territory are protected. I would like to underscore three points today as we confront the devastating and fluid developments on the ground. First, we deeply regret that the united call that Council members made in Sunday’s meeting, along with the subsequent press statement (SC/15982), has been blatantly disregarded by the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) and Rwanda. We demand that the M23 immediately halt its unjustifiable military actions in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and withdraw from its offensive in Goma. Its reckless actions are forcing scores of civilians to flee with no safe refuge, endangering hundreds of thousands of innocent lives. It is equally critical that Rwanda refrain from further escalating the conflict. We must once again stress our urgent appeal to Rwanda to cease all forms of support to the M23 and promptly withdraw any unauthorized military presence from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Those actions are undermining the foundational principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity. Secondly, the Security Council must consider all measures at its disposal to bring an end to this devastating conflict, and it must deliver a more decisive and unequivocal message. In addition, concrete action must be taken to effectively influence the strategic calculations of the parties to the conflict. We must recall that it was strong diplomatic pressure that stopped the M23 back in 2012. A thorough investigation into the attacks on peacekeepers is also vital. The safety and security of United Nations peacekeepers is a top priority for the Council. All perpetrators of violations of international humanitarian and international human rights laws, including sexual and gender-based violence, must also be held accountable. Thirdly, both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda must return to meaningful negotiations and fully honour their obligations under the Luanda process. We reaffirm our full support to President Lourenço of Angola in his critical mediation efforts. We also look forward to seeing the African Union Peace and Security Council playing a key role in exerting the necessary pressure following the emergency ministerial meeting that it held this morning. Furthermore, we encourage In conclusion, the Security Council must take action. Most importantly, we must not lose sight of the innocent civilians who are awaiting the Council’s action even as we meet here today. The Republic of Korea remains steadfast in its commitment to constructive engagement, working collectively to swiftly and decisively overturn the consequences of unlawful military action.

At the outset, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this emergency meeting. I thank Ms. Van de Perre for her briefing and welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the meeting. Since the Security Council’s consideration of the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Sunday (see S/PV.9849) the situation on the ground has nosedived. The Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) has overrun Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, causing massive civilian displacement and increasing the risk of a greater conflict. The developments are deeply worrisome. China reiterates its firm support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its opposition to any violation of the Charter of the United Nations and international law. We demand that the M23 immediately cease all hostilities and withdraw from Goma and other occupied areas. China hopes that Rwanda will respect the calls of Secretary-General Guterres and the relevant African countries, cease its military support to the M23 and immediately withdraw all its forces from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We urge the parties to the conflict to abide by international humanitarian law and to protect the security of civilians and civilian infrastructure. Meanwhile, the safety and security of foreign nationals and institutions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo should also be protected. China once again strongly condemns the M23’s attacks on United Nations peacekeepers. We salute the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for sticking to its post in extremely dangerous circumstances and support its continued activities pursuant to the mandate of the Security Council, including the protection of civilians. We reiterate that any attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers are unacceptable and urge the parties to refrain from any action that may endanger peacekeeping camps and peacekeepers. It should be underscored that there can be no military solution to the issue of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and that diplomatic negotiations are the only way out. China supports the leaders of Angola, South Africa and Kenya, among other countries, who have engaged in emergency communications with the countries concerned and welcomes the East African Community’s announcement of a forthcoming emergency meeting. We call on Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to return to diplomatic dialogue as soon as possible and to implement the mutual commitments made under the Luanda process, including by neutralizing the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda. We hope the two countries can actively respond to the mediation efforts of the international community and the countries of the region and maintain dialogue and negotiations to resolve their concerns. The situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is at a critical juncture, fraught with peril. China supports the Security Council in maintaining its unity, taking the action needed to create conditions conducive to preventing the situation from worsening further, and pushing for a political settlement. Since we met on Sunday (see S/PV.9849), the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) seems to be largely in control of Goma. Thousands of people are currently fleeing their homes, adding to the millions already internally displaced in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Many United Nations and other peacekeeping troops are still encountering mortar and small-arms fire. Three United Nations peacekeepers have lost their lives and 22 have been injured. The Southern African Development Community Mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo has also suffered fatalities and casualties. We once again express our deep condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers and pay tribute to their bravery, especially those who died in the line of duty. I would like to make the following points. First, we strongly condemn the M23’s offensive on Goma. It must immediately stop its advance and vacate all the areas it has occupied. We condemn the violations of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. All foreign forces must be withdrawn from its territory. Secondly, the M23’s siege of Goma has grave humanitarian consequences. The Secretariat and other humanitarian actors, in consultation with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, should develop an urgent plan for ensuring the protection of civilians, handling internally displaced persons and addressing the humanitarian crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The M23 must not impede access for immediate, safe and unhindered humanitarian aid and humanitarian personnel to the areas and people affected, including through humanitarian corridors. Thirdly, we strongly condemn the continued attacks on peacekeepers. Attacks on peacekeepers constitute war crimes, and those responsible for perpetrating, supporting and sponsoring them must be held accountable. We also deplore the attacks on diplomatic facilities in Kinshasa. We ask the Secretariat and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), in consultation with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to urgently present an effective plan to ensure the safety and security of MONUSCO’s personnel and other peacekeepers, including through the steps that they have already taken. Fourthly, we stress that there can be no military solution to the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We call on Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to cease hostilities and immediately revive the Luanda process of dialogue under the mediatory leadership of President Lourenço of Angola. The understandings reached under that process  — on the neutralization of the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda and the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from the Democratic Republic of the Congo — should be maintained and implemented even as the challenge posed by the M23 is confronted and resolved. We hope that reconciliation within the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be achieved, especially through the Nairobi process. We also fully support the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region in promoting dialogue to resolve the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Fifthly, we appreciate the communiqué issued today by the African Peace and Security Council on the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. African institutions will no doubt have a very important role to play in bringing the decades-old conflict to an end in accordance with the calls for African solutions to African problems and for silencing the guns. Finally, we once again call for addressing the issue of the illegal exploitation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s natural resources, which is the root cause of the conflict.

I would like to thank Ms. Van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Protection and Operations of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), for briefing us on this urgent meeting today, and to commend the courage of all of MONUSCO’s personnel in very difficult circumstances. I would also like to welcome the participation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in our meeting. Allow me to emphasize four key points. First, we strongly condemn the capture of the town of Sake on 23 January and the invasion of Goma on 27 January by the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23). We reiterate that the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be fully respected. The presence of Rwandan troops on the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and their support for the M23, as also stated by the Secretary-General on January 26 (see S/PV.9849), are very concerning and we strongly condemn them. We call on Rwanda to cease its support for the M23 and to withdraw its forces now. Secondly, we call for urgent de-escalation and stress that it is more imperative than ever that Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo commit to the ceasefire as agreed last August, re-engage in the political dialogue and implement all decisions and commitments agreed under the Luanda process. Greece will continue to support African-led initiatives and welcomes the emergency ministerial-level meeting on the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo convened today by the African Union Peace and Security Council and tomorrow’s meeting of the Southern African Development Community. We call on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to return immediately to the negotiating table. Thirdly, we are deeply concerned about the grave humanitarian and security consequences of the M23’s offensive in North Kivu. All parties must respect international humanitarian law and ensure unrestricted humanitarian access. We strongly condemn all forms of human rights violations, abuses and violence against civilians, in particular sex and gender-based violence. Fourthly, we reiterate our full support for MONUSCO, which is acting within its mandate and doing critical work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including in the Goma area. We stress our strong commitment to the safety and security of its peacekeepers, condemn the attacks on its personnel and offer our condolences to the families and Governments of fallen peacekeepers. MONUSCO must be granted full access and freedom of movement to effectively fulfil its mandate and address urgent needs. The protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel must remain an absolute priority. Attacks on peacekeepers may constitute potential war crimes, and the attacks on MONUSCO peacekeepers also form a basis for potential sanction designations. We stand ready to consider any further engagement of the Council, as necessary.

We warmly welcome Ms. Vivian van der Perre, Deputy Special Representative for Protection and Operations in the United Panama expresses its deep concern at the alarming situation unfolding in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In recent days, we have witnessed an escalation in violence, which has culminated in the entry of the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) into the city of Goma, with the support of the Rwanda Defence Force, as reported by the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. That offensive has unleashed a humanitarian crisis of devastating proportions. Thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes, seeking shelter in precarious conditions and facing the suspension of essential basic services. The disruption of such services has left the civilian population in an extremely vulnerable situation. The lack of access to clean water, electricity, medical care and other essential services exacerbates the suffering of the displaced and local residents. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has expressed his deep concern at the worsening violence and humanitarian crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, noting that the number of internally displaced persons has increased by more than 400,000 so far this year. The Republic of Panama reiterates its condemnation of any form of violence that threatens the security and physical integrity of the civilian population. We make an urgent appeal to all parties involved to cease hostilities immediately and to respect international humanitarian law. We fully support the call by United Nations entities to enable temporary humanitarian pauses in critical areas, as well as the establishment of safe and effective humanitarian corridors. We also reiterate our firm support for the invaluable work of MONUSCO, whose commitment to peace and security in the region is indisputable. We acknowledge the complex challenges faced by the Mission in a highly volatile environment and deeply appreciate its tireless efforts to protect the civilian population and strengthen the rule of law institutions. On Sunday, during the emergency meeting (see S/PV.9849), Panama expressed its solidarity and support for the Blue Helmets and their families. It is unacceptable that today we again find ourselves in the terrible position of having to again express our deepest condolences over the loss of life of four more peacekeepers who died in the line of duty. We recognize the regional efforts being undertaken to address the crisis. In particular, we note the initiative of the President of Kenya, Mr. William Ruto, who has convened an emergency meeting of the East African Community and of the African Union Peace and Security Council tomorrow. Both initiatives are aimed at ensuring the protection of civilians and promoting a frank dialogue between the parties to the conflict. We are watching the escalation of the conflict in real time. It is the right time for this Council to act decisively in order to ensure unrestricted access to humanitarian aid and to restore basic services in the affected areas. The Congolese people must be supported by the international community, based on the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, so as to prevent a regional crisis. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo. We urge the M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force to immediately halt their advance and to completely withdraw, in full respect for the ceasefire agreement and the ongoing mediation processes.

On behalf of the Government and the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, allow me to express my thanks for convening this second meeting in 48 hours on the security situation in my country. I would like to commend the commitment of the Algerian presidency of the Council and the ongoing efforts of those who, despite the headwinds, are working tirelessly for international peace and security. Before continuing, allow me to pay tribute to the ultimate sacrifice made in the Democratic Republic of the Congo over the past 48 hours by the peacekeepers of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC). I also pay tribute to the courage and resilience of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to the memory of the Congolese civilian population, victims of Rwanda’s merciless assault. We, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also acknowledge the loss of human life among Rwandan soldiers during the clashes. While Rwanda stubbornly persists in imposing its false narrative that it is not fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, that position is taking a heavy toll on the families of the hundreds of Rwandan soldiers who have fallen in the senseless war. Even if their own country refuses to recognize them, pay tribute to them or give their families the right to mourn their loss, we, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, know the extent to which war transcends all borders. We acknowledge that the madness into which Kigali has dragged us has claimed victims on all sides. With regard to the protests that took place this morning in the city of Kinshasa, I would like to assure our partners that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has taken all necessary measures to ensure the protection of diplomatic missions accredited in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Those deeply regrettable incidents do not reflect in any way our country’s ongoing commitment to respect for international law and the principles that govern diplomatic relations. Today, if we are here once again in less than 48 hours, it is crucial that we have the courage to ask ourselves this question: what specific impact has the Council’s press statement (SC/15988) of 26 January really had? In Goma, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, supported by MONUSCO and Southern African Development Community troops, are bravely continuing to fight. But that heroic and determined defence cannot hide the scale of the tragedy. Once again, peacekeepers, including four South African soldiers from the SAMIDRC, have paid the ultimate price for their resolve. Those additional victims are nothing other than the outcome of criminal acts, amounting to crimes against humanity and crimes of war, perpetrated by the Rwanda Defence Force in complete freedom and with this Council remaining silent. Allow me to digress for a moment: of the four valiant South African peacekeepers killed in Goma, one did not die immediately in the fighting but died from his wounds. That tragedy is a sad illustration of the current reality: lives are lost in a city under siege, deprived of electricity, water and escape routes. That is the fate of millions of people in Goma today — trapped, with no access to water, electricity, food or safe shelter. That is the tragedy shared by Congolese citizens, as well as thousands of trapped peacekeepers and humanitarian workers. I recall the poignant words of Special Representative Bintou Keita two days ago: we are trapped (see S/PV.9849). In the past 24 hours, more than 100 wounded people have been admitted to the health centres of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the humanitarian The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and its supporters from the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) have crossed our borders, occupied our towns and villages, driven our compatriots from their homes and set up a parallel administration in violation of international law and in breach of the clear views of this Council. For how long will Rwanda continue to abuse the Council’s respect and authority? What international instrument does it still have to violate for this Council to finally take the necessary measures against Kigali? From the Charter of the United Nations to international human rights law and human rights, not to mention the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes, Rwanda has proved that the Council’s declarations are of little importance to it. The ceasefire of 4 August 2024 was nothing but a delusion for it, and it took the liberty of ignoring the Council’s warnings of 26 January, going so far as to bomb hospitals and homes in the city of Goma. As recently as Sunday, 26 January, Rwanda, a United Nations troop-contributing country, through the statement of its representative, deemed the Council to be complicit in its destabilization, going so far as to implicate MONUSCO in that implausible step. While that strategy has borne fruit in the past, the time for manipulation and lies is now past. The lives of the civilian population, deprived of their means of subsistence in Goma for four days now, depend on the decisions that the Council must take today. We have not come here today to tell the Council what it does not know. But we have come to ask it to have the courage to do what is right and what is within its prerogatives. The lives of civilians cannot depend on political machinery that watches without acting. We demand action. Acknowledging Rwanda’s responsibility for the numerous violations of our sovereignty, as well as for the atrocities that it is committing, has been insufficient for it to cease its pursuit of the conflict. The victims are no longer just Congolese. Rwanda has struck Africa and Latin America by killing South African, Malawian and Uruguayan soldiers who came to protect civilians. It has struck the Council by killing MONUSCO peacekeepers. Is it not sufficient proof for members that, at each of the meetings convened by this Council, the list of speakers is packed with countries from Africa and elsewhere, trying to get the Council to act? On Sunday, it was South Africa, Burundi and Uruguay. And today, in a spirit of solidarity, we are joined by our brothers and sisters from Angola, South Africa, Uruguay, Guatemala, Zimbabwe, Senegal and Burundi. All have responded, for humankind is at stake. They have all come to see what members are going to do. At what threshold of humanitarian disaster and flagrant violation of our territory will the Council finally have to act to punish the M23 perpetrators, the Rwandan officers and their accomplices? If the Council does not take action, history will mark this time as a period of the impotence and indifference of the Security Council. The Council’s right to redeem itself in this crisis is to be found nowhere else but in its immediate actions. We can already see a predictable move coming: Rwanda, which has deliberately waged this war on the territory of another sovereign State — ours — is beginning to claim that the fighting is taking place on its own soil. But what could it expect? War knows no borders. It is dirty; it consumes everything in its path — the strong and the weak alike. The past 72 hours are just a sample of the regional tragedy that threatens. It is a tragedy that the Congolese people have been experiencing for decades. It is a national tragedy that this Council can still stop and a regional tragedy that this Council can prevent by resolute and courageous action. Some people would have us believe that inaction is an African solution. We are an African country under attack, but that attack goes beyond our borders. It is an To allow the crisis to become deadlocked under the pretext that it is an African problem, requiring an African solution, is to betray the spirit of international solidarity on which this Organization is founded and the spirit of responsibility for collective security, which justifies the very presence of representatives as members of this Council. We emphatically reiterate our five urgent demands: first, the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops and the cessation of hostilities; secondly, the introduction of targeted sanctions against the RDF chain of command and the Rwandan political decision-makers; thirdly, the imposition of an embargo on natural resources declared to be Rwandan, in particular coltan and gold; fourthly, the removal of Rwanda as a troop contributor to the United Nations — one cannot be an aggressor and, at the same time, claim to play a role in promoting peace; and, fifthly, complete transparency over arms transfers to Rwanda. Such transfers must be stopped immediately to prevent them from continuing to fuel violence and instability. We are here because it is here that the world must deal with such challenges. If the Council fails, the street will take over. As members know very well, the street has no order or moderation. Forty-eight hours ago, before the Security Council, we once again drew attention to Rwanda’s declaration of war against my country. A bullet that hits the heart cannot leave the rest of the body indifferent. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is at war, and, in response to that aggression, collective inaction unfortunately seems to be fuelling the crisis as far as in its capital. I therefore reiterate once again that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo strongly condemns any attacks on diplomatic mission accredited in the country. However, indifference is no longer an option. The Council should not allow itself to remain passive, because each day without a concrete response increases the price of silence. The time has come for the Council to demonstrate its courage and commitment. History will remember its choices. May this gathering be a bulwark of justice and human dignity.

I now give the floor to the representative of Rwanda.

I would like to once again commend Algeria’s able leadership of the Council for the month of January. I am grateful for your invitation, Mr. President, to participate in this important meeting, and I thank all the Member States that spoke before me. I would like to recognize Ms. Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General. I also recognize Her Excellency Ms. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister for Foreign affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I would also like to recognize the participation of the representatives of Angola, Uruguay, Zimbabwe, Burundi, South Africa, Guatemala and Senegal. Less than two days ago, the Security Council gathered to discuss the ongoing situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (see S/PV.9849). Since then, it has rapidly evolved. On 26 January, the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23)- Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) rebel group is reported to have taken over the city of Goma. That triggered retreating forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo coalition to attack and shell Rwandan territory. Rwanda condemns in the strongest terms the attacks on the town of Rubavu, in the Western Province, which killed five people  — innocent Rwandan civilians  — and left another 35 injured. That indiscriminate shelling is an unacceptable war crime and further proof of the necessity of maintaining Rwanda’s defensive posture, put in place precisely to prevent that kind of threat. The coalition of anti-Rwanda forces on our border poses an existential threat to our country. That is not the case for the Government of Kinshasa, which feels insulated from whatever happens 2,000 kilometres away. The border of Rwanda is 2,000 kilometres away from Kinshasa. A shell from the Democratic Republic of the Congo that falls on very densely populated villages means lives are lost. Even one bullet takes a life. The people in Kinshasa will not stay awake when such insecurity happens. We are therefore very serious when we talk about an existential security threat to Rwanda. The actions of that coalition are equally devastating for the Congolese people. Rwanda is providing humanitarian relief to incoming refugees, together with the help of international partners on the ground. A temporary refugee camp has been set up in Rubavu to provide further assistance and shelter to those who are displaced. In addition, many countries have requested our assistance in facilitating the evacuation of their nationals, including the European countries of origin of the mercenaries deployed in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rwanda also facilitated the transit of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and other United Nations personnel through Kigali. Additionally, the hundreds of militia members and forces of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) whom we have received have been disarmed and treated with respect and dignity, in accordance with international law, and those who are sick are being treated. I would also like to express Rwanda’s condolences to the MONUSCO forces that died in that process. On the contrary, we have been dismayed by reports of attacks on, and the looting of, diplomatic missions in Kinshasa, including the Rwandan Embassy and several other embassies of members of this Council. Those thuggish acts, most of which are committed in the passive presence of security forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are in total violation of international law, especially the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Rwanda therefore calls on the Democratic Republic of the Congo to take its diplomatic obligations seriously and to hold perpetrators accountable. For those who follow the media, I would like to emphasize that the Rwandan Embassy in Kinshasa was among those that were totally burnt down. The deteriorating security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has only one immediate cause: the obsession of the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a military solution and thirst for regime change in Rwanda. We have said that over and over again to the Council. Indeed, the situation could have been resolved a long time ago if President Tshisekedi Tshilombo had demonstrated the political will and good faith in finding a lasting solution to the conflict. I would like to recall that President Tshisekedi Tshilombo took the unilateral decision to expel the M23 from the political dialogue under the Nairobi process, as As if frustrating the Nairobi process was not enough, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo repeatedly made inflammatory statements against Rwanda. For instance, in December 2022, in a statement addressed to Rwandan youth, he promised to help them to “get rid of this diabolical regime in Kigali”. Those are the President’s words. Moreover, in December 2023, during the last campaign, he doubled down, saying that he would bomb Kigali without even setting boots on the ground. Those are the exact words of the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo against Rwanda, promising to bring about regime change. That echoes a similar statement made in Katanga on 17 November 2024, when he told the military and provincial political leadership that if he was given the opportunity to revise the Constitution, he would use that new term to overthrow the Government in Kigali. Those are clear and constant threats that Rwanda will never take lightly. To implement those threats, President Tshisekedi Tshilombo has mobilized a large coalition, which includes the genocidal militia of the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR), European mercenaries, Wazalendo militias, Burundian armed forces and the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Consequently, Rwanda calls on all foreign forces deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to withdraw from the coalition, which is aimed only at harming Rwanda. I wish to stress that the international community, including some members seated in this Council, has its fair share of the blame in what is happening today in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and that it needs to at least condemn threats of regime change from one Member State to another. The Council also chose to turn a blind eye to those inflammatory statements and the build-up of the aforementioned military coalition, never once condemning the regime change agenda behind them. Rwanda remains committed to the Luanda process given the important milestones that were achieved in the process, led by President Lourenço and Angola, namely, first, the adoption of a concept of operations (CONOPS) of the harmonized plan for the neutralization of the FDLR and the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures; and, secondly, the ceasefire that was agreed and held from August 2024. The remaining security issue between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo was the AFC/M23 question. That question was therefore to be addressed. Unfortunately, in the ministerial meeting of 14 December 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo categorically refused any commitment to dialogue with the AFC/M23. That prevented a consensus on a draft peace agreement, to be signed the following day by Heads of State. Therefore, the only solution was to postpone the summit, as Rwanda was not interested in just a photo opportunity. The Heads of States were going to Angola for only one agenda item: to sign an agreement, which should have been agreed. Rwanda deplores the intensification of hostilities between the Congolese coalition and the AFC/M23 since the breakdown of the summit. More worrisome is the intense shelling by the FDLR/FARDC from densely populated areas, including internally displaced persons camps, towards other populated areas held by the AFC/ M23. In order to bring about peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda calls for the following. Secondly, beyond the CONOPS, Rwanda calls for the withdrawal of foreign troops that are part of the Congolese coalition and for European mercenaries to be repatriated and be held accountable. Thirdly, Rwanda believes that MONUSCO can be useful in restoring peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo by stopping its support to a national army with a regime change mandate, as well as its support to a United Nations- sanctioned genocidal force and European mercenaries. Rwanda also reiterates its position that it has no hostile intentions against MONUSCO despite its total failure over the past 26 years. Fourthly, Rwanda believes in the strict adherence to the ceasefire of 4 August 2024 by all parties, which would allow for a favourable environment for direct dialogue between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the M23. In that regard, I wish to inform the Security Council that His Excellency President Kagame spoke with his counterpart from South Africa, His Excellency President Ramaphosa, yesterday. That positive conversation, held in a cordial atmosphere, was productive, as it supported the already agreed ceasefire and the resumption of political talks, including with the AFC/M23. I also wish to inform the Council that tomorrow there will be a virtual EAC summit, convened by His Excellency President Ruto, on that very question. Before I conclude, I would like to mention that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has just claimed that there are Rwandan forces that died in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I want to say that that is categorically incorrect. If it were correct, the Democratic Republic of the Congo would have provided evidence. I do not think that it has that evidence. If it has evidence of any Rwandan soldiers who died on the soil of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it should produce that evidence, which, I am 100 per cent sure, is not available, because it is not true. In conclusion, Rwanda is committed to the pursuit of a political solution to the conflict. However, we believe that the Luanda process must not be personalized or taken as an end in itself but as a tool to resolve security concerns between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Both the Luanda and Nairobi processes urgently require new impetus in order to achieve sustainable peace and stability for all the countries in our region. We hope that the recent engagements will work towards that goal.

I now give the floor to the representative of Angola.

We welcome the presence 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 Ambassador Ernest Rwamucyo, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Rwanda to the United Nations. We thank Ms. Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Protection and Operations, for her briefing on the latest development on the ground and for her bravery in flying the United Nations flag high under these difficult circumstances. We deplore today’s attacks against diplomatic missions in Kinshasa and call on the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure their protection under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. We are at a very critical juncture in the pursuit for lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the normalization of diplomatic relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The Movement du 23 mars This is a make-or-break moment that requires wisdom and pragmatism from the parties concerned and all relevant stakeholders, including the United Nations, the African Union and subregional organizations. Although His Excellency Mr. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and African Union Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa and facilitator of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, is making every effort to advance the Luanda process, the security and humanitarian situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has suffered a substantial deterioration in the past few weeks. On 24 January 2025, the Angolan Head of State expressed deep concern about the serious deterioration of the peace and security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. He condemned and denounced the actions of the M23 and its supporters, which undermine the progress made in the Luanda process. He reaffirmed that there is no military solution to the conflict and urged the parties to return immediately to the negotiating table. Due to the rapid deterioration of the situation, members of the reinforced ad hoc verification mechanism and the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism, deployed in the city of Goma under the Luanda process to support the pacification process in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Sunday had to be evacuated to Angola. The Security Council is the world’s last resort when it comes to maintaining international peace and security. Its mandate is clear and must be respected and upheld. Today we have one simple and direct message to the Council: the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo must cease, and the warring parties must return to negotiating table. The ongoing hostilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo have already claimed the lives of thousands of civilians and injured many others. Credible reports indicate that Goma has neither running water or electricity, making the living conditions of the population and of those living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps almost unbearable. In addition, millions of people have fled their homes and do not know where to go. We demand the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of the M23 from the occupied areas, and an end to the establishment of parallel administrations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo territory. We call for full respect for the integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in accordance with Charter of the United Nations, international law and the principle of the sovereign equality of all Member States. We call on all parties in conflict to fully respect international humanitarian and human rights law and to ensure the protection of civilians, IDP camps, medical sites and peacekeepers, while noting that attacks on civilians and peacekeepers constitute war crimes. Direct attacks on the personnel of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo are unacceptable, and those responsible must be held accountable. We urge the signatories of the August 2024 ceasefire agreement to immediately resume dialogue without preconditions. In that context, we call on both parties to return to the Luanda process, under the facilitation of President Lourenço. We reiterate our call for a speedy and unconditional de-escalation of hostilities and a genuine and renewed commitment to peace by both sides. An immediate return to the negotiating table is the only way out, since the conflict and security challenges in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo have no military solution. The parties must continue exploring ways to settle the pending M23 issue so as to create conditions for rescheduling the tripartite summit. We encourage the resumption of contacts between His Excellency Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of the Republic of Kenya, and the facilitator mandated by the East African Community, with the armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the M23, under the Nairobi process, to address the sources of grievances that have led to the current level of insecurity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The United Nations, the African Union, subregional organizations and leaders in the region must work together in a complementary manner in order to bring the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda back to the Luanda process. In conclusion, we continue encouraging all parties to avoid any actions or rhetoric that could further escalate tensions, including provocative language and inflammatory public statements, which are counterproductive to the diplomatic efforts to achieve a lasting solution to this conflict that has prevailed for so long. In his quest to advance the Luanda process, in the past few days President Lourenço has been in contact with several African leaders. Today he spoke to His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, President of the Republic of Mauritania and current President of the African Union, and His Excellency Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and current President of the Economic Community of Central African States, of which the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda are members. Angola reiterates the steadfast commitment of President Lourenço to continue playing his role as the facilitator mandated by the African Union to assist the normalization of the diplomatic relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to achieve peace and security in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

I now give the floor to the representative of Uruguay.

We appreciate the information provided by Ms. Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative for Protection and Operations of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), and we welcome the convening of this briefing by the Algerian presidency. We emphasize the important role of the Security Council on this matter, which has contributed to a ceasefire, in line with the press statement issued by its members on the evening of Sunday, 26 January (SC/15982). We fully agree with its content. We also thank the members of the Council for their responsiveness and speed in addressing this issue. Regrettably, the situation on the ground continues to be critical. With regard to the offensive of the Movement du 23 mars (M23), the population is now facing an extremely critical situation and the security of the MONUSCO contingents has been put at risk. In that regard, we appreciate the Secretary-General’s statement that these attacks could constitute war crimes that must be investigated and that those responsible must be held accountable. In view of that situation, we call for the Security Council to condemn those actions and to take all necessary measures to ensure that the offensive of the M23 and its supporters is stopped and that the cessation of hostilities is consolidated, with full respect for the safety of the peacekeeping forces. Regarding the development of the crisis on the ground, we welcome the approaches that the Head of MONUSCO has defined in order to promote the security of the civilian populations and peacekeeping contingents in the face of this offensive. Nevertheless, we express the need for clear directives for procedures to be followed, as well as for maximum support to national contingents in the form of logistics and supplies so that they can overcome the humanitarian crisis affecting the local population and the consequences of the delivery of weapons by the Congolese troops and ensure their medical care. Uruguay reiterates its commitment to peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its support to MONUSCO in these critical moments.

I now give the floor to the representative of Zimbabwe.

On behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), allow me to express our gratitude to you, Mr. President, for convening this urgent meeting to address the escalating situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. That we meet again on this issue following the meeting on Sunday, 26 January (see S/PV.9849), underscores the gravity of the unfolding crisis. We welcome the briefing by Deputy Special Representative Vivian van de Perre and we recognize the presence of the Foreign Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Her Excellency, Ms. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner. Zimbabwe, like SADC, is unwavering in its adherence to the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, particularly the peaceful settlement of disputes and the commitment to respecting the territorial integrity and political independence of States. Those principles are more critical than ever as we confront the deepening crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in Goma. The Chairperson of SADC, His Excellency President Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, issued a statement yesterday in which he conveyed his profound concern about the deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, brought about by the offensive operations of the M23 rebel group and its allies. He unequivocally condemned the cowardly attacks on the United Nations and SADC peacekeepers, some of whom have paid the ultimate price in the pursuit of peace. On behalf of SADC, President Mnangagwa extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers and wished those injured a speedy and full recovery. The persistent instability in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, exacerbated by the actions of the M23 rebel group, represents a grave threat to peace and security in the region. The occupation of Goma and other areas by armed groups undermines the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and To that end, we urge the United Nations and the Security Council to first, provide support for the protection of civilians and the stabilization of conflict-affected areas; secondly, ensure accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, including the attacks on peacekeepers and civilians; thirdly, address the root causes of the conflict, including the illicit exploitation of natural resources, which continues to fuel instability; and fourthly, facilitate the movement of humanitarian assistance. As SADC chair, Zimbabwe, reaffirms its commitment to collaborating with the African Union, the United Nations and all stakeholders in order to achieve lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The current crisis highlights the urgent need to reform the international peace and security architecture, including the Security Council, to better respond to the unique challenges facing Africa. Moreover, we reiterate the importance of eliminating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, which perpetuates instability across the continent. In conclusion, SADC stands in full solidarity with the Government and the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We call on all stakeholders to act decisively in order to prevent further escalation, safeguard lives and restore peace and stability. This is a moment for collective action, a moment to demonstrate our shared commitment to unity, peace and sustainable development. Zimbabwe and SADC stand ready to contribute meaningfully to those efforts, and we look forward to working with our partners to forge a peaceful and prosperous future for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the SADC region and beyond. To that end, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and current Chairperson of SADC has called for an extraordinary summit, scheduled for 30 January 2025, to discuss this matter.

I now give the floor to the representative of Burundi.

My delegation is delighted to take part once again in a briefing on the deteriorating security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, marked by recent developments in the town of Goma. We congratulate the Algerian presidency of the Council for convening this meeting on such short notice. I welcome the presence of Her Excellency Ms. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and welcome the briefing by Ms. Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative for Protection and Operations of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the outset, the Government of Burundi expresses its condolences for the soldiers who fell during the recent clashes in the past 48 hours. For the second time in the space of 48 hours, we gather to note, with great bitterness, that the situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has seriously deteriorated. The time has come for words to give way to concrete action. As we stated two days ago (see S/PV.9849), Burundi firmly supports respect for peaceful coexistence among nations and categorically rejects proxy wars. For nearly three decades, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has been the scene of intolerable massacres and unusually violent armed conflicts, fuelled by foreign interests, exacerbating local tensions and undermining peace efforts. Serious human rights violations are seen every day, and the victims now number in the millions. The recent developments in Goma are evidence of possible regional For years, the United Nations, through the tireless work of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has meticulously documented the dynamics of the conflict. Numerous reports have been presented in this Chamber, highlighting the involvement of external actors known to be supporting local armed groups, the flagrant human rights violations and the systematic plundering of the natural resources of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. How many more reports are needed before the international community, in particular the Security Council, assumes its responsibilities? During our statement 48 hours ago, we questioned the Security Council’s deafening silence at a time when thousands of lives are being tragically lost every day. Where is the international community? Where is the Security Council, which is so active in other conflicts? Should we interpret that silence as selective sensitivity? As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, in the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silences of our friends. Let us not be the silent friends. Let us stand by the Charter of the United Nations to save the world order established in San Francisco in June 1945. This conflict has been ongoing for decades, and yet no resolution has condemned Rwanda, the perpetrator of flagrant violations of the principles of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rwanda does not even deny its presence on the ground or its support for the Mouvement du 23 mars, as more than three quarters of the members of the Council stressed at the previous meeting. The integrity of the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo cannot be compromised, and the armed incursions, the foreign interference, the systematic plundering of its natural resources and repeated violations of its borders must stop immediately. With regard to the security and humanitarian situation, Burundi consistently supports full respect for international law and international humanitarian law. To that end, Burundi condemns the flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law; calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to ensure that that region no longer serves as an area of indirect confrontation between regional and international actors; supports the efforts of the Luanda and Nairobi processes and calls for the commitments made by all parties to be honoured; demands the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and reiterates its commitment to respecting the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, its territorial integrity, its political independence and its right to defend itself against any external aggression; and recommends that support continues to be given to civilians and war-displaced persons in order to meet their basic needs, with particular attention to women and children. In conclusion, and as we already stated, the Security Council must be sensitive to the legitimate demands of the Congolese people and Government.

I now give the floor to the representative of South Africa.

I thank you, Mr. President, for convening within just a few days a second meeting on the current tenuous situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The situation on the ground remains dangerously fluid as the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) continues its offensive campaign in North and South Kivu. We thank the Deputy Special Representative, Ms. Vivian van de Since the last meeting of the Council on the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (see S/PV.9849), four additional South African peacekeepers have lost their lives in the continuing conflict in Goma. On 27 January, the M23 launched several mortar bombs, aimed at the Goma airport, which landed in the base of the South African troops, killing three soldiers and injuring some troops. As the Minister said earlier, a fourth soldier succumbed to his injuries, sustained during the weekend attacks. That illustrates that the M23 is well resourced and would have acquired such resources through means that are against the sanctions imposed by this Council. It is a contradiction in terms that a major United Nations peacekeeping troop- contributing country could provide resources to an illegal armed group that is conducting offensives against peacekeepers, civilians and key infrastructure, thereby undermining the mandate of this Council. That must be addressed with the utmost urgency. As we stated at the previous meeting of the Council a few days ago, the future of United Nations peacekeeping and its credibility are at stake if we are to tolerate such violations without any ramifications. The Security Council must speak with one voice and act in unison to stop the carnage unfolding in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Unfortunately, a press statement of the Security Council (SC/15982), while sending an important political message, has proved to be insufficient in the current situation. Consequently, South Africa would like to highlight the following issues. First, the United Nations needs to, as a matter of urgency, provide additional support to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in order to reinforce operational positions. That is to ensure that MONUSCO can fulfil its primary mandate to protect civilians. Such support would also assist in ensuring that no further peacekeepers’ lives are lost. Similarly, stronger consideration must be given to bolstering the support that MONUSCO provides to the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Both Missions have the primary responsibility of protecting civilians and key civilian infrastructure. They are instrumental as long as armed groups remain active in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Secondly, we remain concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation, with millions of people in need of humanitarian assistance. There is a need to ensure that the appropriate conditions are created for humanitarian aid to reach people in need across the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. All parties to the conflict must uphold international humanitarian law and human rights law. Thirdly, we reiterate our call for the resumption of negotiations under the Luanda process. South Africa’s President, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, held a telephone call with President Kagame of Rwanda yesterday to discuss the recent developments in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the escalation in fighting, which has resulted in the deaths of many peacekeepers, including South Africans. The two Heads of State agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire and the resumption of talks by all parties to the conflict. Accordingly, South Africa recognizes the significant strides made by President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola in facilitating the peaceful resolution of the tensions between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. We urge the parties to recommit to those talks and address all outstanding issues amicably so as to allow the region to return to peace and the restoration of the political rapprochement and good-neighbourliness. That includes both sides addressing their relations with the illegal armed groups and the withdrawal of the Rwanda Defence Lastly, the Council needs to underline the importance of preventative measures in order to avoid the recurrence of the cyclical conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is well known that the genesis of the conflict is primarily the illegal exploitation of the Congolese natural resources. International and regional efforts, including those initiated by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region to address the problem of the resource curse in the region, must be operationalized and supported. As I conclude, I wish to remind Council members that South Africa has suffered many casualties in this conflict. The reason that we never hesitate in supporting peace efforts, even at an excessive cost, is because we are a product of international solidarity, at whose centre was the United Nations. Therefore, the ultimate sacrifice of South African peacekeepers in promoting peace and security in the Great Lakes region should not be in vain. Our plea is for the Council to always protect those who value, safeguard and execute the mandates adopted in this Chamber, as well as to hold to account those who violate the decisions of this very Council. The failure to do that can only undermine the credibility of the Council and delegitimize its authority and that of the United Nations as a whole. We trust that all members of the Council and the international community can support measures towards establishing a ceasefire, encouraging dialogue and promoting efforts towards peace and stability in the whole country and in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in particular.

I now give the floor to the representative of Guatemala.

Given the urgency of the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its development, we appreciate the convening of the urgent meeting on 26 January (see S/PV.9849) and again today. We also thank Ms. Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative for Protection and Operations of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), for her briefing and for the efforts to keep troop-contributing countries informed in a timely manner. The Government of Guatemala wishes to express its grave concern over the escalation in hostilities in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. We condemn in the strongest terms the offensive launched by the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) in recent weeks, its expansion into North Kivu and the seizure of the city of Goma. That situation has had a devastating impact on the civilian population, which has so far led to the displacement of nearly 3 million people in North Kivu alone. As a troop-contributing country, Guatemala reiterates its unwavering support for the ongoing peace efforts and the Luanda and Nairobi processes, aimed at reducing tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We regret the deaths of Blue Helmets of various nationalities, including from Uruguay, South Africa and Malawi, and we hope for the speedy recovery of the wounded, including two Guatemalan officers. We reaffirm our support for MONUSCO’s mandate to protect civilians, and we strongly condemn the actions of armed groups that endanger the safety of United Nations Blue Helmets and civilian personnel. Their immediate protection and security, as well as the delivery of the supplies necessary for the discharge of their mission, must be guaranteed, Guatemala believes that attacks against United Nations Blue Helmets may constitute war crimes under international law, particularly in view of the fact that the priority mission carried out by the national contingent is the protection of civilians We call on all actors to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo and to put an end to all forms of support for armed groups, whether Congolese or foreign.

I now give the floor to the representative of Senegal.

Senegal would like to thank Algeria for holding this important meeting. We welcome the briefing by Ms. Vivian van de Perre. My delegation also welcomes the presence of Her Excellency Ms. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the outset of its statement, my delegation pays tribute to the memory of all the Blue Helmets and soldiers who have fallen on the field of honour. In that regard, Senegal offers its most sincere condolences to South Africa, Malawi and Uruguay in particular. We express our strong solidarity with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and all United Nations personnel on the ground, who continue to provide assistance and comfort to those in need, in many cases at the risk of their lives. My delegation’s thoughts also go out to the civilian victims on both sides, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured, including four Senegalese members of the Mission. My country reiterates its commitment to accountability for all crimes committed against United Nations personnel, as recommended in resolution 2589 (2021). As members can imagine, Senegal, with 459 troops in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), is gravely concerned about the situation of the Blue Helmets on the ground. Indeed, it was in the Congo, in 1960, that is, four months after its independence, that Senegal joined the United Nations Operation in the Congo. In other words, my country has remained actively involved in United Nations efforts to bring peace to that region, which has known only intermittent peace since then. At this critical time, we remind all parties, State and non-State, of their obligations to protect civilians, in particular women and children, peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel and of the need to respect human rights in all circumstances. Like all those who spoke before, Senegal condemns in the strongest possible terms the resumption of fighting in North Kivu, particularly in Goma, in flagrant violation of the ceasefire agreement concluded on 30 July 2024. The intensified clashes are a serious threat to the security of the region and the continent. We cannot allow that situation to degenerate into a full-blown crisis, which will affect hundreds of thousands of civilian lives in a region that has already been severely tested. That is why my delegation supports the call by the three African members of the Security Council, namely, Algeria, Sierra Leone and Somalia, as well as Guyana, the Security Council and the Secretary-General demanding an immediate halt to the offensive of the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) and its territorial expansion. The only viable solution to the conflict is a political one. Senegal therefore calls on the parties to honour their commitments under the ceasefire, give diplomatic talks a chance under the aegis of African peers and work in good faith for peace and regional stability. My country therefore reaffirms its unwavering support for the continental mediation efforts between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda currently being deployed as part of the Luanda process, led by the President of Angola. We also call for consultations to continue within the Nairobi process in order to resolve the ongoing issue of armed groups, including the M23, and to map out the path to establishing peace and stability in the region.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has asked for the floor to make a further statement. I now give her the floor.

First of all, I would like to note that, for the first time in our meetings, Rwanda extended condolences for the fallen peacekeepers. However, I would like to rectify something: the peacekeepers did not die in a process; the peacekeepers were killed. Secondly, the deployment of Southern African Development Community forces through the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo was not brought about unilaterally by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but rather with a mandate from the African Union — an organization of which Rwanda is a part, even if its behaviour in the Democratic Republic of the Congo clearly flaunts its principles. Thirdly, the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) excluded itself from the Nairobi process by renewing attacks against the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has nonetheless expressed its willingness to reinclude the M23 in the Nairobi process. We reject Rwanda’s obsession and attempts to elevate the M23 to the level of an interlocutor deemed fit to sit at the same table as a legitimate Government. Thirty years down the line, we have never stooped to the level of expecting and demanding from Rwanda that it talk to its brothers and sisters — the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda, which are still in our country. We have not stooped to that level. Fourthly, on regime change, we remind the Rwandan delegation that the M23 and the Alliance Fleuve Congo have repeatedly expressed their intent to march on Kinshasa  — the very M23 that the Rwanda forces are backing right now. There is a subtlety that should not go amiss between words and actions. Rwanda’s actions side by side with the M23 are actions seeking to overthrow a legitimately established Government. On the Luanda and Nairobi processes, we remind the Rwandan representative that the Democratic Republic of the Congo never left the negotiating table. It was Rwanda that did not show up on 15 December 2024. It was Rwanda that did not come when President Lourenço invited us. President Kenyatta was also present. President Tshisekedi Tshilombo honoured his commitment. In the past weeks, we have seen efforts called from this Council, from our partners and from our friends, urging us all to renew our efforts within the Luanda process. The Democratic Republic of the Congo never left the table. It is up to Rwanda to come back to the table. I would also like to remind the Council that, in this very meeting, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, through my own statement, condemned all attacks against diplomatic missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We do that in our concern to abide by and respect international law. However, we have yet I would like to conclude with what has brought us back here in less than 48 hours  — Rwanda’s outright contempt for the Council and the Council’s press statement (SC/15982) and its demonstration that it is in the deluded belief that there is a Rwandan exception when it comes to international law. But what has also brought us here is the Council’s choice two days ago to opt for words and not for actions (see S/PV.9849). The Council is not unable to take actions. In fact, it is uniquely equipped to take actions. Hence the question that remains at the end of this meeting is whether this Council is unwilling to act.