S/PV.9865 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2025/108, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by France. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2773 (2025). I now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements after the voting.

France thanks the members of the Security Council for their engagement in the negotiations on this resolution (resolution 2773 (2025)) over the past two weeks. It conveys a clear message: there is no military solution to the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) offensive, supported by Rwanda, must end. The priority is concluding an effective, unconditional and immediate ceasefire agreement. A return to dialogue is urgent, with the support of regional mediation efforts. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be respected. The Rwandan forces must withdraw without delay from Congolese territory, as already called for by the Secretary-General and the members of the Council. The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) must be able to implement its mandate for the good of the civilian population, without being hindered in its work or freedom of movement. Finally, this resolution recalls the key role of the Luanda and Nairobi processes in finding a lasting political solution that involves the complete withdrawal of Rwandan forces and the dismantling of the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda. Given the almost 1 million displaced persons, thousands of deaths and horrific abuses, the civilian population is paying a heavy price in the escalation of this conflict, which has lasted too long. The M23 is continuing its advance in South Kivu and risks triggering a regional war. It is high time that the Council expressed itself clearly to support a cessation of hostilities and the conditions necessary for de-escalation, complementing the regional initiatives, which France supports. Several countries of the region made statements on Wednesday, joining that appeal.

My delegation voted in favour of the resolution on the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (resolution 2773 (2025)). I would like to thank the penholder for their efforts and the members of the Council for achieving a consensus on this matter, a consensus that my delegation joined, while making observations on certain provisions during the negotiations. Algeria expresses its deep concern about the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We take this opportunity to call for an end to the hostilities and for de-escalation in the provinces of North and South Kivu and the restoration of security in their cities, particularly in Goma and Bukavu. We also renew our appeal to all conflicting parties to establish an immediate ceasefire and return to the negotiating table, within the framework of the negotiation processes approved by the African Union, in order to prevent further civilian bloodshed and regional escalation of the conflict. In that context, my country warmly welcomes the statement made by the African Union Peace and Security Council of the African Union on 14 February 2025. The statement unequivocally affirmed that a political solution is the only way to resolve the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region, within the framework of the Luanda and Nairobi processes, which were recently merged, based on the recommendations of the meeting of leaders of the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, with a view to addressing the conflict and its underlying causes in a coordinated and realistic manner, in line with the principle of African solutions to African problems. We adhere to that principle, as Africans who hold their continent dear. My country shares the concern of the United Nations and the international community about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the rising death toll, which has reached nearly 3,000 since the beginning of the month, and the unprecedented increase in the number of internally displaced persons, which has reached 500,000, not to mention to the spread of diseases and epidemics caused by the decaying corpses and the lack of a minimum standard of hygiene and healthcare. In that regard, my country calls on all warring parties to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid to the affected population and to open humanitarian corridors and airports in order to facilitate United Nations and international relief efforts aimed at alleviating the impact of the crisis on the population in that devastated region. Algeria calls on all parties to the conflict to pursue dialogue and demonstrate goodwill to address outstanding issues without slander, vilification, accusations or a logic of confrontational, in order to reach a lasting, just and comprehensive solution to the conflict that preserves the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and takes into account the legitimate security concerns of its neighbours in the region. We also call on all foreign parties from outside the continent to refrain from negative interventions and to abandon the policy of establishing spheres of influence, some of which have their roots in bygone colonialist fancies. Such actions would undermine the mediation efforts undertaken by the African Union and regional organizations involved in the matter. Finally, Algeria reiterates its readiness to exert every sincere effort aimed at reducing tensions in the Great Lakes region and rebuilding trust among the various parties, for the sake of a better future for all the peoples of the region. Like all the peoples of our continent, they yearn for peace and a decent life and for the enormous natural resources of their region to be a blessing to them, an incentive for cooperation and integration and an impenetrable wall against attempts from any quarter to deplete and plunder. The resolution underscores the urgent need for a cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of all uninvited foreign forces and renewed engagement in diplomatic dialogue through the merged Luanda and Nairobi processes. It affirms our shared belief that there is no military solution to the conflict and that the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be upheld. Sierra Leone welcomes the strong support for regional initiatives led by the African Union, the East African Community, the Economic Community of Central African States, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and the Southern African Development Community. Those efforts reflect the principle that African challenges require African leadership and solutions, with the support of the international community. We strongly condemn the ongoing hostilities and remain deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis, forced displacement and the suffering of civilians, including reports of human rights abuses and sexual and gender-based violence. We affirm our full support for 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 in fulfilling their mandates to protect civilians and restore peace. The illegal exploitation of natural resources remains a key driver of instability in the region. We call for greater accountability, transparency and adherence to international frameworks to prevent the financing of armed groups through the illicit mineral trade. Sierra Leone urges all parties, in particular the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, to recommit to diplomatic dialogue and fully implement their agreed commitments. We emphasize the need for coordinated and harmonized mediation efforts under His Excellency President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola, Chairperson of the African Union, and former President Uhuru Kenyatta to advance a credible political solution to the crisis. For 11 years, Sierra Leone experienced a tragic civil war, which claimed more than 50,000 lives. As in the case of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Council authorized a peacekeeping mission, one that included the first protection of civilians mandate. Our path to ending the decades-long cycle of violence was not easy. At some point we realized that our conflict would not end through decisive military victories and that dialogue and negotiation constituted the only viable path to lasting peace. We had to talk with each other in good faith and commit to signing a peace agreement with the necessary political will. Talking to adversaries is hard — and is perhaps a taboo for some. But we do not make peace with friends, but with adversaries. As in the case of Sierra Leone, a similar road map is being offered, as outlined in the harmonized plan under the Luanda process. The plan provides a solid basis for Rwanda to disengage its forces and for the Democratic Republic of the Congo to neutralize the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda. We urge Council members and the broader international community to give meaningful support to this African-led initiative, which will bring Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the negotiating table in good faith. In voting in favour of the resolution, Sierra Leone stands in solidarity with the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the broader region. We remain committed to supporting all efforts that advance peace, security and sustainable Dialogue is a fundamental tool for conflict resolution, but its success depends on strong implementation, compliance mechanisms for agreed commitments, political will and addressing root causes. As dialogue remains key to long-term stability, Sierra Leone’s peace process demonstrates that a well-structured peace agreement, backed by regional and international support, can transform a war-torn country — a lesson that can guide efforts to end the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Sierra Leone will continue to engage constructively to ensure the full and effective implementation of the resolution.

The Russian Federation voted in favour of the resolution submitted by France on the deteriorating situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (resolution 2773 (2025)). It is an important decision for all of us and, first and foremost, for the Congolese civilian population. Its adoption was the culmination of difficult compromises and many hours of painstaking diplomatic work, both here in New York and at the summits of African leaders. The decision upholds the Charter of the United Nations — the cornerstone of the modern system of international relations — and must be implemented by the parties without delay. The hostilities must end. Lives must be spared. Ordinary people must return to their homes. Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo must sit down at the negotiating table again, reaffirm their mutual commitments and agree on the conditions for a sustainable and lasting solution to all differences. The decision also builds on regional efforts and is aimed, first of all, at ensuring that the parties begin to implement, in good faith and seriously, the measures agreed upon by Africans at the highest level, lest the region face another bloody war with colossal human casualties. We must learn the lessons of history and not repeat the mistakes of the past.

The United Kingdom is grateful for the efforts of France, as penholder, and the engagement of all Council members in enabling the adoption today of this important resolution (resolution 2773 (2025)). The United Kingdom welcomes and fully supports the text. We hope that it makes a positive contribution to diplomatic leadership in the region, in particular the recent East African Community-Southern African Development Community summit, and helps to bring an end to the conflict. United Kingdom ministers are engaging intensively to support a diplomatic end to the conflict, because there is no military solution. The violations that we have seen in recent weeks in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are wholly unacceptable. Today’s resolution sends a clear message that those violations must stop and that the parties must return to the African-led political processes. It makes clear that there needs to be a ceasefire and the withdrawal of the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) from Goma and Bukavu. We strongly urge M23 to immediately cease hostilities. No Member State should impede that. It also makes clear that international humanitarian law must be respected, as must the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and critically, it makes clear that the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the Charter of the United Nations must be respected. The United Kingdom supports the resolution’s call for all Rwanda Defence Force troops to withdraw from Congolese territory. We urge the parties to fully abide by the resolution — otherwise, the Council will need to consider further action. While we debate in the Chamber, the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo remains extremely volatile and is continuing to deteriorate significantly. Panama reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Through the resolution, we are reiterating the collective call to the Mouvement du 23 mars and the Rwanda Defence Force to immediately halt their advance and to proceed with a complete withdrawal, in full compliance with the ceasefire and the ongoing mediation processes. By voting in favour of the resolution, we are also reaffirming our support for the invaluable endeavours of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, whose commitment to peace and stability in the region is unquestionable. We reiterate our support for regional efforts to address the crisis, emphasizing that there is no military solution to the conflict. We urge all parties to prioritize diplomatic and political engagement and to immediately resume negotiations and dialogue within the framework of the Luanda and Nairobi processes.

For several weeks now, the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has been in a dangerous downward spiral, with dire humanitarian consequences. That has set back seriously the efforts for peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the progress made in that regard over many years with the support of the international community. The United Nations and the Council itself, including through peacekeeping missions, have invested heavily in the success of that endeavour. We cannot afford a failure. We must not let everything unravel before our eyes. It was right for the Council to keep a close watch on developments, as manifested by its series of meetings in recent weeks. It was also logical for the Council to pronounce itself quickly and clearly in order to fulfil its responsibility to help restore peace and security in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Pakistan believes that the resolution that we have just adopted (resolution 2773 (2025)) is an important and necessary step towards that objective. We appreciate France’s facilitation of the discussions and welcome the consensus achieved. The resolution reaffirms the Security Council’s strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and upholds the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations. Most importantly, Pakistan welcomes and supports the regional efforts and processes and high-level engagements led by the African Union and other subregional organizations to bring peace to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We expect and urge all parties to cooperate and fully comply with the provisions of the resolution and their respective obligations in a genuine and timely manner. Recognizing that there is no military solution, all parties, going forward, must prioritize dialogue and diplomacy and recommit to the peace and mediation processes in place. In conclusion, the Council must continue to accord the situation the attention that it requires, and, in that context, we must also review the role and mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo so that it better corresponds to the situation on the ground.

Guyana welcomes the adoption of the resolution on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (resolution 2773 (2025)) and the Council’s firm response to the ongoing crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We thank France, the penholder, for its efforts in bringing us to this point. Guyana further underscores the need for full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and reiterates its commitment to working with all Council members to address the ongoing crisis and mitigate the risk of a regional conflict.

The Republic of Korea is pleased and encouraged that the Security Council was able to reach unity in decisively and unequivocally responding to the grave situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We voted in favour of resolution 2773 (2025) with a deep sense of urgency for an immediate ceasefire between all parties. My delegation commends the tireless efforts of France, the penholder, to bring the Council together over the past two weeks. The entire the Democratic Republic of the Congo is now at stake, and the situation literally stands on the brink of a full-scale regional war. There can be no military solution to this conflict. We urge the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to urgently return to meaningful diplomatic dialogue. The resolution we adopted today underscores and supports the efforts of the African Union, the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community in that regard. Africa’s collective wisdom and concerted action are vital for restoring peace and security in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Somalia voted in favour of resolution 2773 (2025) today. In that regard, I would like to the highlight the following points. My delegation shares the profound concern expressed by the Council members regarding the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The deteriorating humanitarian and security conditions and their impact on the civilian population deeply trouble us all. We join the call for the immediate and unconditional ceasefire and cessation of hostilities and the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces and armed groups operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Experience has taught us that silencing guns in Africa does not begin with finger- pointing or attributing blame. We believe that sustainable solutions must emerge through inclusive dialogue and regional cooperation, rather than through measures that might inadvertently complicate existing peace initiatives. As an African member of the Council, we are entrusted with the vital responsibility of bridging perspectives between the Council and African Common Position on matters concerning our continent. We note with appreciation the significant efforts of the African leadership. In particular, we commend the tireless diplomatic efforts of Angola, under the leadership of President Lourenço, in steering the Luanda process and fostering dialogue between the parties concerned. The leadership of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), in their joint communiqué, endorsed by the African Union Peace and Security Council Heads of State and Government, underscored political dialogue and non-military approaches as fundamental pillars for achieving lasting peace. The implementation of those commitments has already commenced. The Chiefs of Defence of the EAC member States have just concluded their deliberations on the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and their conclusions will inform the joint EAC/SADC meeting of the Chiefs of Defence Forces, scheduled to take place in Dar es Salaam on 24 February. We believe that the Security Council should lend greater support to those efforts and ensure that international engagement aligns with and reinforces the existing African-led initiatives. In conclusion, the path to sustainable peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be paved with a commitment to genuine dialogue, both within the Democratic Republic of the Congo and among regional stakeholders. My delegation stands in steadfast solidarity with all people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and we remain unwavering in our respect for its sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity.

We thank France for its dedicated stewardship of resolution 2773 (2025), which accurately reflects the realities of the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and takes an initial step towards promoting accountability for Movement du 23 mars (M23) and Rwandan advances. This week the United States imposed sanctions on James Kabarebe, Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration, and Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston, spokesperson for M23/Alliance Fleuve Congo, as well as two of Kanyuka’s companies. Those actions underscore our intent to promote accountability for key officials who enable the destabilizing activities of Rwanda and the M23 and continued impunity for human rights abuses in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We applaud similar actions taken by other Member States aimed at compelling Rwanda to return to the negotiating table and bring this violence to an end. We once again urge Council members to take urgent action on sanctions nominations in the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The United States firmly supports African-led political processes aimed at resolving the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Regional actors have the most at stake, by far, when it comes to preventing an all-out war in the Great Lakes region. However, we must not let African-led processes preclude swift and strong responses by the Security Council. We must speak — and more importantly, act — in a united manner if we are to advance solutions to this crisis.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of China. Since the start of the recent escalation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the weeks-long ongoing conflict has gripped the international community. After capturing Goma, the Movement du 23 mars (M23), in defiance of the The Security Council, in the just adopted resolution 2773 (2025), demands that M23 immediately cease hostilities and withdraw from the areas it is occupying. That is in line with the expectations of the international community, in general, and countries of the region, in particular, for a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, and it is also an act of the Council to discharge its responsibilities. China therefore voted in favour of the resolution, and we welcome its unanimous adoption by the Council. The current situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is still worsening. China expects all the parties concerned to heed the calls of the international community and the Security Council by immediately ceasing all hostilities and refraining from any further action that may exacerbate tensions and bring them to a head. China reiterates its firm support for solving African issues the African way and for Security Council resolutions to be designed to support regional processes to build synergy with regional mediation efforts. All parties concerned must respond in good faith to regional peace initiatives and commit themselves to resolving differences through diplomacy and dialogue. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda are neighbours, and we believe that their differences and tensions are therefore not irreconcilable. What truly matters is for both sides to show readiness to return to the negotiating table without delay. The Great Lakes region is at a critical juncture, and to stand on the side of peace is our shared responsibility. China firmly supports the Democratic Republic of the Congo in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and remains committed to working tirelessly with the rest of the international community until the fighting stops and the situation is eased. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

I will not read out in full the text I prepared for the occasion for obvious reasons — things have started to move so quickly that my text is almost out of date — but let me simply recall that the maintenance of international peace and security is a dogma that governs the essence of the collective security system put in place by the drafters of the Charter of the United Nations in the aftermath of the Second World War, such that any threat to peace, any breach of the peace or any act of aggression obliges the Security Council to act without delay. The overall invasion of the Congolese provinces of North and South Kivu by the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) and their Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)-Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) auxiliaries and the brutal capture of the town of Goma on 27 January 2025, prompted my Government, through Her Excellency Ms. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of State and Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie, to address the Council on three occasions in the space of just three weeks (see S/PV.9849, S/PV.9853 and S/PV.9863). That proves the need for peace that the Democratic Republic of the Congo expects of the Security Council. What Council members have just done today is precisely what we have had the right to expect from the Council since 26 January. But it took the Council three weeks to achieve unanimity. That attitude certainly proved to be very dangerous and prevented the Council from taking a decision, when the seriousness and urgency of the situation required it to react promptly and swiftly. In The human cost is well known, and I am not going to repeat it here. The horror experienced by the Congolese people in the eastern part of our country is known to everyone. We have repeated it more than three times here, but I would like to say that, as we can see, it took the Council a long time to reach a consensus. However, the Council has left that behind, and therefore, on behalf of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and of all the daughters and sons of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular those from Bunagana to Kamanyola — including Goma, Sake, Minova, Nyabibwe, Kalehe, Kavumu and Bukavu — I would like to thank all the members of the Council without distinction, and in particular the African members and Guyana, for their invaluable contribution, without which the resolution (resolution 2773 (2025)) could not have been adopted unanimously. To all of the five permanent members of the Council, and in particular France, the penholder, and the United States of America, which was the first to take sanctions against the Rwandan authorities and the M23 authorities, we say thank you. Our most fervent wish is that the resolution be implemented without delay to give respite to the Congolese people in the occupied zones, who are paying a heavy price for this military adventure on Congolese territory.

I congratulate you again, Mr. President, on your presidency and leadership of the Council. Just 48 hours ago, we gathered in this Chamber to discuss the importance of supporting regional initiatives and the mechanisms designed to foster peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and our region (see S/PV.9863). Rwanda takes note of the resolution (resolution 2773 (2025)). I want to thank the Council members who have reached out to Rwanda to hear our views, and commend those who met with and listened to us. I wish to highlight our deep concern regarding the unprecedented intimidation of African voices within the Council, particularly targeting the group of three African members. We condemn that behaviour in the strongest terms. It speaks volumes about the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its belief that the solution to its inter-Congolese conflict will come from actors from outside the continent. Rwanda acknowledges, commends and is fully committed to the efforts of the African Union (AU), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Since the meeting on Wednesday, Rwanda is pleased to inform the Council that today, 21 February, the EAC Chiefs of Defence met in Nairobi to follow up on the outcome of the Joint EAC-SADC Summit outcome. On Monday 24 February, the Joint Chiefs of Defence of both the EAC and SADC will meet to draw up a joint road map in line with the recommendations of the Joint Summit that was held in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, on 8 February. In that regard, we call on the Council to support those regional efforts and avoid being dragged into the risk of undermining regional efforts. Rwanda believes that any Council product on this matter should answer one simple question: how did we end up here? The international community sees the signs that led to this situation. Is the Council answering the big question of how we ended up here and how to find a solution that addresses the root causes of this We believe that any outcome that does not take Rwanda’s security concerns seriously will not offer a sustainable solution to the conflict. The security challenges posed by the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) and its splinter groups are of very serious concern for Rwanda. The Democratic Republic of the Congo must be held accountable for its continued preservation of FDLR, embedding it in its army, equipping FDLR with sophisticated weapons and using it as an ally and a fighting force. Any outcome that ignores the legitimate grievances of the Kinyarwanda-speaking Congolese, which are at the root of the existence of the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23), will also not help to resolve the conflict. We are concerned that there is a singular focus on the M23 and total silence on the large-scale humanitarian violations committed across many parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the massacres, rapes and violations of rights by the Coopérative pour le développement du Congo in Ituri, the Allied Democratic Forces and numerous other armed groups in the areas mentioned — Ituri, Beni and South Kivu. The chaos on the streets of Kinshasa and the banning of embassies and foreign missions was only condemned in passing. The Council cannot be selective in its condemnation. The Democratic Republic of the Congo conflict is complex and multifaceted, and the Council must address it comprehensively, working with all the partners and stakeholders involved. Rwanda remains fully committed to the regional initiatives under the Luanda and Nairobi processes and will continue to meet its part of the bargain, playing a constructive role for the sake of sustainable peace, security and stability in our region. We call upon the Democratic Republic of the Congo to heed the regional call, immediately return to the peace process and commit to inclusive dialogue with State and non-State actors — armed or unarmed — including M23, as outlined in the EAC/ SADC outcome, which was endorsed by the AU Summit.

I now give the floor to the representative of Angola.

While we are here meeting for the fourth time in the last few days, the security and humanitarian situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to deteriorate, as the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) widens its territorial control, more people are killed and displaced, and the risk of regional conflict grows. In the meantime regional organization like the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC) — separately and jointly — the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), as well as the Peace and Security Council of the African Union have been unequivocal in calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the resumption of negotiations and dialogue between all concerned parties under the Luanda and Nairobi processes. There is no military solution to the Democratic Republic of the Congo conflict. First, the diplomatic and political track has to be prioritized. We need to uphold and consolidate the deliverables of the Luanda process, under the mediation of His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola: the ceasefire agreement; the adoption of a harmonized plan to neutralize the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) under the responsibility of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the disengagement of forces and lifting of the defensive security measures plan under the responsibility of Rwanda; and the strengthening of the ad hoc verification mechanism by intelligence experts from the three We welcome the adoption of the resolution today (resolution 2773 (2025)), which represents a significant step in the right direction, as it paves the way to achieving the collective outcome that all relevant actors and stakeholders in Africa and around the world have been calling for: the immediate cessation of hostilities; an unconditional ceasefire; immediate and unconditional return to the negotiating table through the Luanda and Nairobi processes; and support of subregional and regional efforts and initiatives in the spirit of African solutions to African problems. The Security Council has the responsibility to assist the people and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to achieve these aspirations by acting swiftly and decisively to prevent any further escalation of this conflict and promote its peaceful resolution. Any further delays to approving this resolution supporting an African approach to this long and destructive conflict would have jeopardized the credibility of the Council in its primary responsibility under the United Nations Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security. We need to save lives and stop the bloodshed among innocent civilians, including the elderly, women and children, and open viable corridors for unimpeded humanitarian assistance. We call on the international community and the Security Council to continue supporting the ongoing regional initiatives to enhance coordination, harmonization and complementarity between the Luanda and Nairobi processes to promote African-led solutions to African problems. We continue to value the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as an important partner in our collective endeavour for peace and stability in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. In his position as Chairperson of the African Union, His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Republic of Angola, remains engaged in identifying the main problems affecting peace and security in Africa, in order to contribute to conflict prevention, management and resolution in Africa, with special emphasis on and attention to what is unfolding in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.