S/PV.9948 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Security Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Ms. Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Organization 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. At this meeting, the Council will hear briefings by Ms. Keita and Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu, Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone, in his capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I now give the floor to Ms. Keita. Ms. Keita: I thank you, Madam President, for the opportunity to brief the Council today on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I wish to begin by congratulating the Democratic Republic of the Congo on its election as Vice-President of the eightieth session of the General Assembly and as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for 2026 to 2027. Those milestones reflect the General Assembly’s confidence in the leadership of the Democratic Republic of the Congo within the international community. (spoke in French) While tensions persist, the front and negotiation lines are moving, paving the way for peace. The signing of the peace agreement this afternoon in Washington by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda constitutes a major step towards ending the conflict. I would like to pay tribute to the tireless efforts of the United States in facilitating that agreement, which marks a decisive step towards peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes Region. I would also like to pay tribute to the continuous efforts of President João Lourenço of Angola, current Chairperson of the African Union, and the determined commitment of President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, African Union-designated mediator. I would also like to highlight the contributions of the panel of co-facilitators made up of eminent former African Heads of State, without forgetting the role played by the State of Qatar. I encourage all leaders to foster a climate of tolerance. We must favour dialogue over division and actively preserve national cohesion, which is essential to the country’s stability. I also welcome internal Congolese initiatives, and in particular, the meeting between President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and religious leaders and certain members of the political opposition, with the aim of finding national solutions and opening the way to dialogue and reconciliation. With that in mind, the Congolese authorities must remain attentive to concerns about the shrinking of political and civic space. In that spirit, I reiterate my call for (spoke in English) I commend all the parties, including the Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement du 23 mars (AFC/M23), for enabling me to visit Goma two weeks ago for the first time since the fall of the city in January. My visit allowed me to meet civilian and uniformed personnel of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) after a very difficult time. The goal was to boost their morale and reaffirm MONUSCO’s commitment to conflict-affected communities. My visit was also aimed at engaging the AFC/M23 on operational challenges related to the implementation of our mandate. Before my visit, the International Committee of the Red Cross had mediated an agreement between the Government, the AFC/M23 and MONUSCO. With the Mission’s logistical support, 1,359 unarmed members of the Congolese defence and security forces and some members of their families, who had been sheltering in Goma under our protection for three months, were transported from Goma to Kinshasa. We continue to seek a solution for the civilians and unarmed elements who remain at our bases. In recent days, some progress has been made towards the lifting of restrictions on MONUSCO’s ability to operate effectively. That includes the easing of staff border crossings, the release of fuel trucks and the granting of access to the United Nations terminal at the Goma airport to assess its status. A potential first step towards the long- awaited resumption of rotations is scheduled to take place in early July. It will bring major relief and a morale boost to our peacekeepers. I am hopeful that those positive developments could lead to greater freedom of movement for the Mission, predictable crossings for staff and a seamless resupply of our peacekeepers and their rotations. While diplomatic efforts focus on ways to address the current crisis, the situations in other regions within MONUSCO’s areas of operation also demand urgent attention. In Ituri province, retaliatory attacks by the Coopérative pour le développement du Congo (CODECO) and Zaire armed groups have continued to affect villages and internally displaced persons sites, leading to serious disruption of medical services for vulnerable populations. Two new armed groups have emerged, led by Innocent Kaina and Thomas Lubanga, both of whom were convicted of serious international crimes, including the recruitment of children. In North Kivu and Ituri, attacks on civilians by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) have decreased in recent months, yet their deadliness persists. The threat posed by the ADF has not diminished, but rather evolved, as the group is changing its strategy. The group is now seeking local support to boost its funding. In that context, MONUSCO continues to leverage its comprehensive protection strategy to reduce and mitigate threats against the civilian population, strengthen com­ munity resilience and local capacity, improve early warning and rapid response and pro­ mote human rights and accountability. This week, MONUSCO facilitated the second round of the Aru peace dialogue, under the leadership of Ituri provincial authorities, with the participation of CODECO, Zaire and other armed groups. Building on previous political efforts and the recent large-scale launch of reintegration efforts by the national Disarmament, Demobilization, Community Recovery and Stabilization Programme in Ituri, Beni and Lubero, hundreds of disarmed combatants have now joined community projects offering employment opportunities, vocational training, human rights edu­ cation and other income-generating activities for themselves and their communities. At the same time, MONUSCO is actively supporting justice efforts. In Ituri, mobile courts are making significant progress. Perpetrators of conflict-related sexual violence, whether State agents or members of armed groups, are being prosecuted and tried. Members of the CODECO militia have been convicted of crimes against humanity. (spoke in French) Violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to disproportionately affect women, girls and boys. Rape and other forms of sexual violence are still being systematically used there as weapons of war. Healthcare facilities are frequently targeted. Men and boys accused of ties with opposing forces risk abduction, while the crucial access of women and girl survivors of sexual violence to healthcare is being significantly reduced. More than 290 schools have been destroyed this year throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in the east of the country, depriving more than 130,000 children of schooling. In Ituri, the cycle of violence is keeping 1.3 million children, and girls in particular, out of the educational system. The humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is intolerable. Nationwide, 27.8 million people are food insecure and close to 1.4 million children are suffering from acute malnutrition. Approximately 7 million people have been internally displaced, often repeatedly, owing mainly to the violence. The insecurity, the closure of the Goma and Kavumu airports and the blocking of the main roads are severely hampering the delivery of aid. Twelve humanitarian workers have been killed this year. The security crisis in the east of the country has exacerbated the humanitarian situation, which we do not have the resources to address. The suspension of funding by the main donor, which covered 70 per cent of the humanitarian response in 2024, is forcing humanitarian actors to shift their focus exclusively to urgent needs. It is now late June, and the humanitarian response plan is only 11 per cent funded. Given the deterioration in the humanitarian situation and the draconian funding cuts, I call on the international community to act immediately. The resources on which millions of lives depend must be ensured. (spoke in English) The current crisis is complicating the Mission’s disengagement and transition, to which we remain fully committed to accomplishing, when conditions allow. The path to lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo requires shared responsibility. It demands collective action. In that regard, I thank the Peacebuilding Fund for supporting joint United Nations efforts. In conclusion, I am encouraged by the progress made to reach a political solution to the recurring cycles of conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. MONUSCO continues to stand ready to support those efforts, sustained by the decisions and the will of the Council.

I thank Ms. Keita for her briefing. I now give the floor to Ambassador Kanu. Mr. Kanu: I have the honour to deliver a statement in my capacity as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2024), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since I last provided an update on the work of the Committee on 30 September 2024 (see S/PV.9736), I would like to take this opportunity to provide a brief overview of my visit — together with a number of Committee members — to Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda between 14 and 25 November 2024. The visit took place in a climate of regional tensions and intense diplomatic efforts led by the President of Angola, the African Union-designated facilitator. The territorial expansion by the sanctioned armed group Mouvement du 23 mars (M23), with reported external support, and the establishment of de facto administrative structures in the territories controlled by the group, coincided with reports of increased support for other armed groups. In addition, the sanctioned entity Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) continued to pose grave threats to the civilian population. Overall discussions during the visit focused on the impact of the sanctions regime, the work of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Luanda and Nairobi processes, the security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, armed group activities and support networks, the illegal exploitation and trade of natural resources and human rights violations and abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence and violence against children. Throughout my engagements, I reiterated the Security Council’s condemnation of all armed groups operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Council’s condemnation of foreign military support provided to M23 and other armed groups and the support provided to armed groups such as the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR). I reiterated the Council’s full support for the mediation efforts conducted through the Luanda process, led by the President of Angola, and I stressed that sanctions measures are not intended to be an act of coercion, but are envisaged as part of the Council’s tools to positively change conflict dynamics. I also reiterated the Council’s call for enhanced cooperation among all States, particularly those in the region, and with the Group of Experts, pursuant to resolution 2738 (2024). In connection with human rights abuses and violations, it was reported that the ADF, M23 and Wazalendo groups were the primary perpetrators. Representatives of civil society organizations and internally displaced persons (IDPs) provided dramatic first-hand accounts of attacks against civilians, killings and the destruction of villages. They recounted their experience of forced displacement and provided detailed accounts about the grave conditions in the IDP camps, including rampant sexual and gender-based violence, even against children. They also noted that belligerent parties set up positions near IDP sites, often resulting in IDPs being caught in the crossfire. The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and some civil society actors expressed doubts about the scope of the current sanctions measures in place, suggesting that said measures did not target decision makers with the ability to meaningfully influence the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The critics also pointed to a lack of awareness and understanding of the sanctions measures, emphasizing the need for public sensitization and communications campaigns in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Concerning the implementation of the sanctions regime, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo acknowledged challenges in enforcing the sanctions measures arising from the lack of Government control over parts of the country. In addition, the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and some civil society representatives pointed out that sanctioned individuals moved freely in neighbouring countries despite the sanctions imposed on them. The Government of Uganda reported that it had no information about the presence of Regarding the Luanda process, I heard reports on the harmonized plan for the neutralization of the FDLR and the disengagement of forces and on continued clashes between armed groups, despite the 30 July 2024 ceasefire agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. In that connection, various stakeholders throughout the visit expressed support for leveraging sanctions as part of the Security Council’s toolkit to accompany and positively influence diplomatic efforts and political processes. On the exploitation of natural resources, various stakeholders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported on the systematic extraction, taxation and transport of minerals, in particular from the mining sites of Rubaya. In Uganda and Rwanda, the authorities provided information about their efforts to comply with and implement the relevant traceability and certification mechanisms. In conclusion, I wish to once again thank the Governments of Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda for the support extended to the visit, which provided an important opportunity to obtain first-hand accounts concerning the effective implementation of the sanctions measures.

I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

At the outset, I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and our colleague Ambassador Kanu, Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone and Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for their briefings. I would like to start by reaffirming France’s support for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and its Head, Ms. Bintou Keita. We are meeting at a decisive moment for the Great Lakes region. The conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has been plunging the population into mourning for several decades. In the aftermath of the seizure of Goma and Bukavu by the Mouvement du 23 mars, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2773 (2025), which set out the obligations incumbent upon each of the parties. Today, a peace agreement was signed between the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, in the presence of the Secretary of State of the United States. France welcomes that step forward and commends the signatories, who have shown political courage. We thank the United States for its decisive contribution to peace in the region. We also welcome the joint efforts that contributed to that outcome, starting with the commitment of the President of Angola, Mr. João Lourenço. The achievements of the Luanda process have been decisive in bringing about the outcome that we are witnessing today. It is now up to the Council to encourage that trend, with three priorities in mind. First, the signing of the peace agreement must be translated into concrete and visible progress on the ground. That begins with a verified and respected cessation of hostilities. It requires the reopening of Goma airport so as to allow full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. Finally, it requires tangible progress on the implementation of resolution 2773 (2025), which continues to apply in all its dimensions. That requirement includes the withdrawal of the Rwanda Defence Force from Congolese Secondly, it is essential for MONUSCO to regain its full capacity for action so that it can carry out its mandate to protect civilians. Through its presence and capabilities, it is in a position to support the implementation of the peace agreement. Pressure on MONUSCO must end, as must the restrictions on its freedom of movement. While positive signs have been noted, as relayed to us by the Special Representative, we nevertheless expect all restrictions to be lifted, starting with those relating to troop rotations. Attacks against peacekeepers are unacceptable and could constitute war crimes. Thirdly, the Council must ensure that the commitments undertaken are followed up and respected in order to lay the foundations for lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region. We are determined to work towards that end with the African Union-designated mediator, President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, and with the co-facilitators, the United States, Qatar and all actors committed to the success of the various dialogue processes. We support convergence and coordination on those initiatives, with a central role for the United Nations. Finally, civil society remains a major player, as demonstrated by the contribution of churches to the intra-Congolese dialogue. Several peace agreements in the region have failed. We must ensure that the current process will succeed, leading to an effective, genuine and lasting resolution of the crisis. Once again, we welcome the progress made by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda in reaching an agreement. And I welcome the presence of the delegations of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda at this table today to discuss this issue. There is no military solution to the conflict in the Great Lakes region. We hope that everyone will rise to the ambitious goal of a settlement. The Security Council must continue to encourage actors to do so. In the upcoming months, the Council must continue to closely monitor the agreement, follow up on respect for the commitments made and contribute to its verification modalities, including through the work of MONUSCO. France will remain committed to the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to peace and stability throughout the region.

Let me start by thanking Special Representative of the Secretary-General Keita for briefing us today. I also thank the Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone, for his briefing on behalf of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo and I welcome the participation of the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Let me make three points. First, the United Kingdom commends efforts by the African Union, the United States and Qatar to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict and also commends the continued engagement of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwandan Foreign Ministers have been meeting today in Washington to sign a peace agreement. The United Kingdom welcomes that significant step forward on the road to a durable peace. Focus will now rightly turn to its swift implementation. The United Kingdom stands ready to support that process. Thirdly, the United Kingdom is concerned by the humanitarian crisis and significant protection challenges in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We remain committed to supporting the most vulnerable. To that end, my Foreign Secretary announced an uplift of over $18 million in United Kingdom support to the humanitarian response in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo during his visit to Kinshasa earlier this year. We are also alarmed by the continued reports of summary executions and sexual violence. According to UNICEF, a child is reportedly raped every half hour in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We urge all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and humanitarian access. It is time for diplomacy to deliver a long-term solution to conflicts in the Great Lakes region. We now urge Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to engage in good faith on the implementation of the peace agreement, in order to bring about a more secure and prosperous future, one which the region has long worked towards, with the support of MONUSCO, and one which the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo greatly deserve.

I thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Bintu Keita and the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo for their briefings. I welcome the presence of the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda at today’s meeting. For some time now, the international community and the countries of the region have continued their diplomatic efforts towards resolving the issue of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, but the situation in the region remains complex and fragile. In that connection, I wish to make the following points. First, there must be an effective ceasefire and cessation of violence. According to the report of the Secretary-General (S/2025/403), the conflict in North Kivu and South Kivu is still ongoing, with widespread violence against civilians. China calls on all parties to the conflict to fully implement resolution 2773 (2025) through an effective ceasefire and cessation of violence, an end to the attacks and violations against civilians, especially women and children, and the protection of civilians and their property. Secondly, there must be a commitment to sincere dialogue and negotiations. China welcomes the ongoing peace talks between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda and takes note of the peace agreement signed by the two sides. China commends the African Union, the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community and other subregional organizations for their long- standing efforts to ease the situation and supports the continued mediation role of regional mechanisms. Countries outside the region should be genuinely committed to peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and refrain from taking advantage of the situation for their own interests. Thirdly, every effort must be made to alleviate the humanitarian crisis. The ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has displaced Fourthly, mandate implementation by the peacekeepers must be guaranteed. According to the United Nations Secretariat, MONUSCO has faced severe restrictions on fuel imports and the movement of personnel. As MONUSCO is a peacekeeping operation authorized by the Security Council, China calls on the relevant parties to fully lift those obstacles and to facilitate the implementation of the Mission’s mandate to the greatest extent. China notes Special Representative Keita’s recent visit to Goma for consultations with the relevant parties and will continue to support her and relevant United Nations agencies in their work. Not long ago, the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was held in China, during which Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with the Foreign Ministers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to exchange views on the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and actively worked to facilitate peace talks. China stands ready to continue working with the international community towards an early end to the conflict and the restoration of peace and tranquillity in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Council plus one (A3+), namely, Algeria, Guyana Somalia and my own country, Sierra Leone. We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Bintou Keita, for her informative and comprehensive briefing on the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and we acknowledge the report of the Secretary-General (S/2025/403). We welcome the participation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in today’s meeting and warmly congratulate our sisterly country on its election as a non-permanent member of the Council for the 2026–2027 term. We also welcome the participation of Rwanda in this meeting. We are meeting at a very critical moment for the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Secretary-General’s report underscores the evolving security, political and humanitarian challenges facing the country. At the same time, we acknowledge the significant efforts being made to stabilize the situation on the ground. Since the Security Council last met to consider the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (see S/PV.9887), there have been notable developments towards peace and stability. In that context, allow me to highlight the following five points. First, we express our strong support for, and solidarity with, the brave men and women serving with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), under the United Nations flag, in an extremely challenging operational environment. We urge the Council and all regional and international partners to ensure that MONUSCO personnel are fully supported and empowered to carry out the mandate entrusted to them by the Council. In that regard, we welcome Special Representative Keita’s leadership and her recent visit to Goma and her direct engagement with MONUSCO personnel. Continued Secondly, the A3+ welcomes and commends the constructive role of the United States in bringing together the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda for the signing of a peace agreement. We equally express appreciation to the State of Qatar for its facilitation of dialogue, including between the two leaders. We acknowledge and commend the efforts of His Excellency Mr. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of Togo, in his capacity as the African Union-appointed mediator for the Democratic Republic of the Congo-Rwanda engagement, supported by the panel of five former African presidents, who are serving as peace facilitators. We also recognize the valuable contributions of other countries supporting a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We are hopeful that the signing of today’s peace agreement will inject renewed momentum into the pursuit of peace and stability in the region. We urge the Governments of both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to remain steadfast in their commitments and build on this progress. Thirdly, the A3+ is encouraged by emerging momentum towards an inter-Congolese dialogue aimed at addressing the root causes of the conflict. However, we remain concerned about the continued shrinking of political space, which risks undermining efforts to build national cohesion and trust among political actors. We call for inclusive and positive engagement with all stakeholders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In that regard, we acknowledge the important role of the Episcopal Conference of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in fostering national dialogue. Fourthly, we note the recent visit of the Chief of Defence Forces of the Ugandan military and his engagement with his Congolese counterpart to advance their joint operations against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). While the M23/AFC often dominate focus, the ADF, with its links to a global terrorist network, continues to inflict violence and suffering on civilians in Ituri and North Kivu. Continued collaboration between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains critical to addressing that threat. Fifthly and finally, we reiterate our deep concern about the worsening humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ongoing violence by armed groups has left more than 10 million people facing acute food insecurity, while humanitarian actors encounter severe access constraints. We appeal to the international community to urgently support the humanitarian response plan, which remains critically underfunded. The A3+ reminds all parties that international humanitarian law imposes clear obligations to protect civilians during armed conflict. We urge all actors to fully respect international humanitarian and human rights law. In particular, we call on the M23/AFC to allow unimpeded access for MONUSCO and humanitarian organizations. We also call on the international community to scale up its support for humanitarian operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In conclusion, following the signing of today’s peace agreement by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, the A3+ urges all parties to uphold

Allow me to begin by thanking the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Bintou Keita, for her briefing and all the officials of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), who, with great commitment, continue their work in an extremely challenging context. We are also grateful to the Ambassador of Sierra Leone for briefing us on his field visit in his capacity as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Panama expresses its concern about the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Communities, in particular women and children, continue to suffer the devastating consequences of violence, forced displacement and systematic human rights violations. In that regard, the situation is alarming, with documented cases of extortion, looting, kidnappings and widespread sexual violence. The crisis is also being exacerbated by the forced recruitment of minors and serious violations of international humanitarian law. Moreover, the country is facing multiple overlapping emergencies that further aggravate the situation. Torrential rains in April caused flooding in Kinshasa that caused at least 165 deaths and harm to thousands, while in May heavy flooding in Fizi left more than 100 dead and many homes destroyed. The food crisis is equally catastrophic, with almost 28 million Congolese facing acute food insecurity — the highest number ever recorded in the country. That outlook depicts a situation that demands immediate attention. We therefore appreciate the diplomatic progress made by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) and Rwanda, facilitated by Qatar and backed by the United States. We also recognize the leadership of President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola in the Luanda process and the appointment of Mr. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé of Togo as mediator of the African Union. Furthermore, we applaud the provisional agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, which addresses territorial integrity, the prohibition of hostilities and the disarmament of non-State armed groups. However, the road to peace must begin with an immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities. We call on all parties to comply with resolution 2773 (2025) and respect international humanitarian law. Peace cannot be built while attacks on civilians, forced recruitment of minors and restrictions on MONUSCO’s work persist. Panama expresses its concern about the obstacles to MONUSCO’s freedom of movement and access to supplies in areas controlled by the M23. The restrictions not only endanger peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel, but they also affect the protection of the civilian population. We call on the M23 to lift the restrictions and facilitate the implementation of the Mission’s mandate and the reopening of the Goma and Kavumu airports and unimpeded humanitarian access. Furthermore, Panama encourages Congolese political leaders and civil society to engage in an open, constructive and respectful dialogue that will lead to sustainable and inclusive solutions. We support the prompt adoption of the bill against tribalism, racism and xenophobia, and we welcome the efforts to implement the law on the rights of Indigenous peoples. We also strongly reject the proliferation of disinformation and hate speech, which not only fragment the social fabric but also make it difficult to carry out MONUSCO’s mandate. In conclusion, I want to reiterate our commitment to a gradual, responsible and sustainable withdrawal of MONUSCO that does not leave security gaps or jeopardize the progress achieved. Once again, we thank those involved for their work and sacrifice in the Congo.

I thank Special Representative Keita for her informative briefing and Ambassador Kanu for his briefing on the visit of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I also welcome the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to today’s meeting. The situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo stands at a critical juncture, with encouraging diplomatic efforts taking place amid persistent insecurity and dire humanitarian challenges. Let me highlight four points. First, the Republic of Korea welcomes and supports ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a political solution to the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Today’s signing of the peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, witnessed by the United States, represents a significant step towards ending hostilities and securing long-term peace and stability in the region. The facilitation between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) by Qatar in April also paved the way to addressing the underlying issues of the conflict. We also look forward to the continued engagement of the African Union-designated mediator, President Gnassingbé, and the five-member panel of East African Community-Southern African Development Community co-facilitators. We hope that their efforts will yield tangible progress in enhancing coordination and coherence among various sectors supporting peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. To that end, complementarity and alignment among all those diplomatic efforts will be essential to ensuring a successful resolution of the conflict. We also call on both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to fully uphold their commitments made through those diplomatic efforts. Secondly, the persistent insecurity in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, despite such encouraging developments, is deeply concerning. The security situation in the periphery of Goma remains volatile, as the M23 carries out atrocities to consolidate control over the areas it occupies. The situation in Grand Nord and Ituri is no different, with the Allied Democratic Forces, the Coopérative pour le développement du Congo and Zaire continuing to pose a significant threat to civilians. The violence by all parties involved has resulted in human rights abuses and violations on an alarming scale, as confirmed by recent findings of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Fact-Finding Mission on the situation in the South and North Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, particularly against children — reportedly affecting one child every 30 minutes — is horrifying. Moreover, the spread of hate speech based on physical appearance is a dangerous signal of deeper ethnic divisions and the erosion of national cohesion. We strongly urge all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law. We also recall that resolution 2773 (2025) has yet to be fully implemented by all parties. Thirdly, we emphasize the importance of ensuring the full implementation of the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). For nearly six months, MONUSCO’s ability to carry out its mandate has been seriously undermined in areas under M23 control. The Mission has been denied freedom of movement and access to regular supplies, Lastly, international humanitarian assistance should be urgently scaled up to support the millions of displaced persons in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The sharp decline in humanitarian funding is deepening the already dire situation, with more than 10 million people facing acute food insecurity and a rapid surge in epidemic outbreaks. The Republic of Korea has contributed more than $225 million in official development assistance over the past 25 years in support of peace, stability and sustainable development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and we plan to continue sustaining those efforts. In conclusion, the Republic of Korea reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MONUSCO, Special Representative Keita and all regional and international diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo during this critical moment.

I would like to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Keita for her briefing, as well as the Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone, in his capacity as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2024), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I also welcome the participation of the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda in our meeting. Allow me to emphasize the following three points. First, the implementation of resolution 2773 (2025) is imperative. The Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) must immediately and unconditionally cease hostilities and withdraw from Goma, Bukavu and all other areas that it controls. Greece resolutely opposes any violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations and stresses its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Secondly, we welcome today’s signing of the peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda in Washington, and we commend the facilitation efforts of the United States to achieve that agreement. We also commend all other recent peace efforts, notably on the part of the African Union-designated mediator, the five co-facilitators and Qatar, which led to the immediate ceasefire. Thirdly, resolution 2773 (2025) reiterates the Council’s full support for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which is acting within its mandate and is doing critical work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular by protecting the civilians, ensuring the continued implementation of the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism on children and armed conflict and addressing urgent needs. MONUSCO’s movement should be unobstructed, and its work should be unimpeded. All parties must respect international humanitarian law and ensure unrestricted humanitarian access. We emphasize, once more, our strong commitment to the safety and security of MONUSCO personnel. Lastly, we are deeply concerned about the grave humanitarian and security consequences of the continued M23 offensive in both North Kivu and South Kivu, which have led to a mounting increase in internally displaced persons. We strongly condemn all forms of human rights violations being committed both by armed groups and State agents, as described in the Secretary-General’s report Aligning ourselves with today’s statement made on behalf of the group on shared commitments on women and peace and security, we stress that the meaningful political engagement of women and their solidarity and advocacy within regional, national and international efforts are key elements for sustainable peace, stability and development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

We would like to thank Ms. Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and Mr. Michael Kanu, Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone and Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2024), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for their briefings. We also welcome the participation of the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda in today’s meeting. First, we note today’s signing of a ceasefire agreement by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda — a truly momentous event, which we hope will bring long-term peace and stability to the region after six months of active hostilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. I recall that, as a result of those hostilities, thousands of Congolese citizens have been killed since the beginning of this year. In addition, hundreds of thousands have become internally displaced, most of them repeatedly. The number of refugees who fled from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo to neighbouring countries — Burundi, Uganda, the Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and Zambia — exceeds 140,000. Millions continue to need medical and food assistance. That is the price that ordinary Congolese people have paid for the military escalation. In February, Council members unanimously adopted resolution 2773 (2025), which sets out the main conditions for resolving the conflict and the corresponding demands on the parties. The Council is not yet familiar with the content of the document signed today, but we assume that it is based on the key provisions of the resolution. Its implementation by Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo has always been the shortest route to ending the fighting and arriving at sustainable and viable parameters of peace agreements. For a long time, they were being ignored in both countries. And we do hope that now Kigali and Kinshasa will finally heed those appeals and comply with the will of the Council. It is important that the key elements of resolution 2773 (2025) are based on the regional recipes developed within the framework of the Luanda and Nairobi processes and on the joint East African Community-Southern African Development Community platform. That is a direct projection of the principle of African solutions to African problems. We welcome the efforts made by the President of Angola, João Lourenço, and the Prime Minister of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, to find ways to resolve the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is important to The escalation of the crisis has also seriously affected the ability of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to effectively carry out its mandate. For six months now, peacekeepers have been coexisting with the Mouvement du 23 mars in the areas occupied by that group. The situation of MONUSCO personnel in Goma and its environs is a good illustration of the fact that this forced status quo has exhausted itself. We expect that the Secretariat will come up with proposals regarding prospects for the Mission’s presence at current locations. At the same time, we would like to emphasize that Russia continues to consistently support the Mission and its leadership, especially under the current circumstances. In conclusion, we would like to congratulate our Congolese colleagues on their country’s election as a non-permanent member of the Council for the upcoming two- year period. We have no doubt that they will make a valuable contribution to the Council’s work, especially given their experience of interacting with the United Nations and facilitating the implementation of Security Council resolutions on peacekeeping. Russia will continue advocating a settlement of the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on the basis of the Charter of the United Nations and of unconditional respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the country. We have no doubt that, ultimately, the States of the region will show political wisdom and be able to demonstrate, in deeds, their commitment to implementing the mutually accepted commitments that they officially undertook today.

We are grateful to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Bintou Keita for her briefing and leadership of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) during this difficult time. We also thank Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu for his remarks as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We welcome the participation of the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda in today’s meeting. Pakistan welcomes the diplomatic breakthroughs to bring an end to the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Those breakthroughs include today’s signing of the peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, which was brokered through a commendable effort by the United States; the 23 April joint statement by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23), facilitated by an equally commendable effort by Qatar; and the African Union’s sterling mediation efforts, led by President Gnassingbé of Togo and President Lourenço of Angola, Chairperson of the African Union. We hope that those diplomatic efforts will bear fruit and that the agreements will be implemented in order to bring lasting peace to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. There is an ever-present expectation that addressing the root causes of this conflict is important for sustainable peace. Tangible progress towards peace requires an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and the effective implementation of resolution 2773 (2025), as a first step. We note the recent interactions between MONUSCO and the M23. We hope that the severe restrictions imposed on MONUSCO’s freedom of movement and resupply by Alliance Fleuve Congo and the M23 will be lifted. Those restrictions have critically hampered the implementation of the Mission’s mandate, endangered the safety and security of peacekeepers and delayed troop rotations. We also take note of the dire humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has worsened because of the security environment and the drop in funding support. We call on the international community to ensure that the humanitarian needs of the population are fully met. Lastly, Pakistan reaffirms its steadfast support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and hopes for an early return of normalcy to the country.

I thank Special Representative Bintou Keita for her briefing today and for her and her team’s work on the ground. I also welcome the representatives of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who are with us today. In the three months since our most recent briefing (see S/PV.9887), we have been witness to extreme violence and hardship in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. But we are starting to see glimmers of hope and, today, have genuine reason for optimism. Just hours ago in Washington, D.C., the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda signed a peace agreement based on mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, human rights and international humanitarian law and founded on the prospect of shared prosperity through regional economic integration. That development is a major accomplishment. It supports African-led processes and represents a historic step towards securing a durable peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and creating the conditions for economic development for the benefit of the people in the region. Just as the causes of this 30-year conflict are complex, the solutions are intricate and layered. Today’s agreement weaves together complementary regional and international initiatives that will be essential to its successful implementation. We thank the African Union and Togo for leading regional diplomatic efforts, and we thank Qatar for leading negotiations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23). While we celebrate today’s diplomatic breakthrough between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, we recall that the situation on the ground across the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo remains highly volatile. Violent conflict and humanitarian crises are ongoing as armed groups continue to sow instability in the region and beyond. Against that challenging backdrop, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has remained a constant and constructive presence, one that continues to make life-saving contributions to the security of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo through unparalleled expertise, analysis and access. But the obstruction of MONUSCO directly undermines those contributions. We call on the parties to abide by their agreement to support, facilitate and promote the Mission’s ability to carry out its mandate. We regret that, for nearly two months, the M23 blocked MONUSCO We laud the delicate operation resulting in the transfer of 1,000 Congolese military and police under MONUSCO’s protection in Goma since January. We also recognize the Mission’s direct interventions to protect civilians and support peace in Ituri province and in the Grand Nord. The United States is proud to have supported the parties in securing today’s peace agreement — a testament to the priority we place on African-led processes. That agreement joins a growing list of peace deals negotiated by President Trump and his Administration, including the Iran-Israel and India-Pakistan deals, and we look forward to promoting future negotiations that bring about an end to unnecessary human suffering. As we recognize that momentous step towards regional cohesion and lasting stability for the benefit of the Great Lakes region, let us work together to see it through to full implementation.

Let me join others in thanking Special Representative Keita for her briefing and, through her, the men and women of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), who are operating under extremely difficult circumstances and whose efforts we greatly admire and support. We also thank Ambassador Kanu for his briefing as Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo remains critical. Allow me to raise four key points. First, Denmark welcomes the signing of the peace agreement today between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, facilitated by the United States. Like others, we express our hope that the parties will continue to engage in good faith to ensure the successful implementation of that agreement. Similarly, we remain hopeful that the parties will engage meaningfully in the ongoing talks in Doha. It is important that all ongoing talks feed into and naturally support the process led by the President of Togo, as the African Union-appointed mediator in the conflict. We encourage the countries in the Great Lakes region to provide active support in that regard. As we have said before, there is no military solution to the conflict, only a political one that is inclusive and representative of all Congolese society. We urge the meaningful participation in the talks of women, civil society and diverse groups in Congolese society. Secondly, as we look ahead, we must not forget that the civilians in the areas under the control of the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) in North and South Kivu have paid and continue to pay the heaviest price in the conflict. The findings of the Human Rights Council fact-finding mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are deeply troubling, with reports of severe human rights violations, from widespread arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances to sexual and gender- based violence. Those who speak out, including human rights defenders, journalists and civil society, are particularly threatened. We condemn such acts and support all efforts to hold the perpetrators accountable. Impunity for grave crimes must end and accountability be ensured. We welcome MONUSCO’s contribution in that regard. Thirdly, those worrisome developments are taking place against the backdrop of a deepening humanitarian crisis. The sharp escalation in violence, coupled with funding cuts, humanitarian restrictions and the looting of humanitarian and medical facilities, have further exacerbated civilian suffering. Concretely, that means that survivors of sexual and gender-based violence are not able to receive the care Fourthly, we express our deep concern about the obstructions of MONUSCO’s operations. The continued closure of Goma airport hinders the delivery of humanitarian aid and goods, troop rotation and the ability to evacuate civilians and United Nations staff. We remind all parties of their humanitarian obligations. We urge the M23 to lift all restrictions on MONUSCO and refrain from actions that prevent the Mission from discharging its mandate or endanger the safety and security of United Nations personnel. Such obstructions are in clear violation of resolution 2773 (2025) and may constitute a basis for sanctions designations pursuant to Security Council resolutions. Let me conclude by reiterating our call on Rwanda to withdraw its troops from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and to end its support for the M23, and our call on the Democratic Republic of the Congo to neutralize the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda and counter hate speech. We express our full support for MONUSCO, mandated by the Council to protect civilians, as its primary task, and to assist the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government in its path towards stability.

I express my sincere appreciation to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Keita for her comprehensive briefing and the clarity of her message to the Council. I also thank the Chair of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004), concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We also welcome the participation of the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda in this meeting. We are deeply concerned by the ongoing conditions under which the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) is operating in areas occupied by the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23), as highlighted in the latest report by the Secretary-General (S/2025/403). The advance notification requirements; the imposition of restrictions and fees on the delivery of vital goods, especially fuel; constraints on the movement of supplies; and the impediments placed on uniformed personnel are all unacceptable. The Council made it clear in resolution 2773 (2025) that any attempts to undermine MONUSCO’s ability to implement its mandate will not be tolerated. The M23 must lift, without delay, all impediments to MONUSCO’s operations. While we acknowledge recent reported indications of willingness to ease certain measures, those steps fall short of what is required. Additional strain posed by delays in the rotation of contingents further complicates the Mission’s ability to effectively implement its mandate. In that regard, we note MONUSCO’s engagement with the Alliance Fleuve Congo/M23, including Special Representative Keita’s recent visit to Goma, as part of ongoing efforts to address challenges and help to facilitate the reopening of Goma airport. We commend the Mission’s efforts to reinforce security around its bases, safeguard its personnel and protect unarmed civilians sheltering on its premises. We are encouraged by the increased momentum in mediation processes and initiatives, led by the region, the United States, Qatar, the African Union-appointed mediator and other partners, towards durable peace in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the wider Great Lakes region. We emphasize the need for and recognize efforts to align and coordinate mediation initiatives to complement peacebuilding and to provide unified support for the effective implementation of agreements reached. While much of the attention is focused on the situation in and around Goma, we remain concerned that the M23, with the support of the Rwanda Defence Force, continues to expand its territorial presence in South Kivu and deepen its administrative control over occupied areas. We also remain alarmed by persistent reports of human rights violations and abuses perpetrated not only by the M23 but by other armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly the Allied Democratic Forces, Coopérative pour le développement du Congo, Zaïre and the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda, and we note with grave concern the emergence of new armed groups. We remain concerned also by the conflict’s toll on civilians, especially women and children, and the rising threat of conflict-related sexual violence. We condemn all such violence. As noted also in the latest report, the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains among the world’s most acute. Conflict has been the main driver of food insecurity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is essential that relief operations receive full support and be able to deliver aid safely and without obstruction. We reiterate once again — humanitarian personnel and facilities must never be targeted, and we remind all parties of their binding obligations under international humanitarian law.

With just a few days to go before the end of your term of office as President of the Security Council, my delegation is pleased and honoured to congratulate you, Madam President, on the excellent work you have done throughout your term of office and to express its satisfaction at seeing a friendly country, Guyana, preside over this open meeting of the Security Council devoted to examining the situation in my country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, His Excellency Mr. António Guterres, for his sustained commitment to restoring peace in my country. I would also like to welcome the presence of Ms. Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), and to thank her for the clarity of her briefing and the relevance of the information that she shared with us. My delegation has taken note of the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/2025/403) of 23 June, which is before the Security Council. Its content raises some observations and concerns for my delegation, which I would like to share now. At the outset, it should be underscored that the security situation in the eastern part of my country is still dominated by the continued aggression led by Rwanda, whose troops — deployed in support of members of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)/Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) — remain notorious for massacring the civilian population, raping women and girls, forcibly recruiting young boys and On the ground, the Congolese living in the western and southern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo cannot physically commune with their brothers in Goma, Bukavu, Rutshuru, Bunagana, who continue to bend under the yoke of the occupation. The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF)-M23-AFC coalition continues its expansionist course by extending its territorial conquests, particularly towards Luhwinja, Kaziba, Katogota and Twangiza, while threatening the town of Uvira, on the border with Burundi in South Kivu. That reprehensible expansion is in flagrant violation of the relevant provisions of operational paragraphs 2 and 8 of resolution 2773 (2025). Moreover, the coalition continues to strengthen the establishment of a parallel administration by appointing new authorities in Goma in North Kivu and Bukavu in South Kivu. However, almost five months ago to the day, the Council spoke out unanimously and harmoniously in resolution 2773 (2025) of 21 February to demand that Rwanda and its M23/AFC proxies withdraw their troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and that the defence measures put in place by Rwanda be lifted. Those serious violations of the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue in a climate of total impunity, even after Rwanda signed the Washington declaration of principles on 25 April. Just this morning, with the mediation of the American Administration and under the watchful eye of the State of Qatar, Rwanda signed the peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, in which it undertakes to withdraw all its troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo without any preconditions. We hope that, this time, the United States of America, which is mediating, will be able to impose sanctions on Rwanda commensurate with its crimes in the event of a repeat offence. To put a definitive end to the impunity that fuels such recidivism, my delegation calls on the Secretary-General to support the commission of inquiry established by the Human Rights Council at its thirty-seventh special session on 7 February, with the mission, inter alia, of investigating the mass violations of human rights and international humanitarian law under way in the provinces of North and South Kivu and those committed in the cities of Goma and Bukavu after they were invaded by the RDF-AFC-M23 coalition. The prosecution of those crimes will contribute to lasting national reconciliation and the consolidation of the peace process by putting an end to a widespread situation of impunity in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The lack of resources and the various working groups’ inability to function properly, which the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk, recently denounced, do not bode well for the future of the victims who are awaiting reparations. From a political and diplomatic perspective, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, continues to demonstrate his spirit of openness and dialogue. Since the beginning of the Luanda and Nairobi processes, through the Doha talks, the signing of the Washington declaration of principles in April and the signing this morning of the peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, his will to find a diplomatic solution has remained unwavering. Those diplomatic efforts have also been complemented by internal efforts because, in addition to the presence of representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the Doha negotiations, the President of the Republic has also initiated internal dialogue and several consultations, as evidenced by the working meeting granted just a few days ago to an eminent member of the republican opposition and the meeting with representatives of religious denominations to explore ways and means to restore peace and social cohesion. Allow me to pay tribute to the soldiers of the Southern African Development Community Mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC) force and the entire Southern African Development Community (SADC) community for the sacrifices made and support given at a difficult time in my country’s history. The decision taken by the SADC Heads of State and Government at an extraordinary summit on 13 March to withdraw the force put an end to SAMIDRC’s mission and MONUSCO’s logistical and operational support obligations arising from resolution 2746 (2024) of 6 August 2024. Paragraphs 45 to 49 of the report of the Secretary-General describe a catastrophic humanitarian situation. In practice, the 2025 humanitarian response and response plan, launched jointly on 27 February by the Government and its partners, has so far been severely underfunded. The same is true of the revised financing requirement of $1.25 billion, which aims to help at least 11 million people out of the 21.2 million currently in need. In the volatile security context of the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the largest challenges remains mobilizing the remaining funds to cover the immense needs. We take this opportunity to reiterate the appeal to donors and other sponsors to fill the gap in global funding of approximately 88.8 per cent. Before concluding, allow me to reassure the Council once again that my Government is resolutely committed to searching for a lasting and concerted solution to put a definitive end to the chronic crisis that has afflicted the eastern part of our country for almost three decades. Lastly, on behalf of my Government, I wish to welcome the signing of the Peace Agreement Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda this morning in Washington and commend the American authorities for their successful mediation and the State of Qatar for serving as mediator. The hope is that the Agreement will culminate in the effective and verified withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo shortly and the withdrawal of their AFC/M23 proxies from the occupied areas in order to take part in the disarmament, demobilization, community recovery and stabilization process.

I now give the floor to the representative of Rwanda.

I thank Special Representative Bintou Keita for her briefing and those colleagues who spoke before me for their statements. I thank Ambassador Kanu for his visit to the region and his report. Today’s meeting comes at a crucial turning point. Earlier today, the Government of Rwanda signed a peace agreement with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, brokered by the United States. We wish to thank the United States Government for facilitating that breakthrough. We also commend the State of Qatar for its tireless While challenges remain, the path to lasting peace in the Great Lakes region is clearer now than it has ever been before. An important part of today’s agreement is the provision for the parties to form a standing joint security coordination mechanism, whose first order of business will be to oversee the implementation of the concept of operations for the neutralization of the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) and the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures, as approved under the Luanda process in November. Those developments provide new context for the debate here today, in particular as regards the role of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in advancing peace and security in our region. Rwanda, like all countries, protects its people and its border by taking security measures commensurate with the threat faced and appropriate to the circumstances at any given time. Rwanda’s unique history imposes heavy burdens in that regard. We will always discharge our right and duty of self-defence professionally and promptly. In the situation before us, the defensive measures are directly linked to a specific threat that is well-known to the Council, that is, the FDLR — remnants of the forces that carried out the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 and who continue to pursue their genocidal intent and ideology. Rwanda is not alone in defining the FDLR as a threat to international peace and security; the Council, too, has done so. Resolution 1493 (2003) called for the neutralization of the FDLR. It was followed by resolutions 1509 (2003), 1533 (2004), 1552 (2004), 1649 (2005), 1698 (2006), 1807 (2008), 1856 (2008), 1896 (2009), 1925 (2010), 1991 (2011), 2053 (2012), 2078 (2012), 2198 (2015), 2293 (2016), 2409 (2018), 2511 (2020) and 2765 (2024) and, of course, resolution 2773 (2025). All those resolutions — 20 over a period of 22 years, and I might have overlooked some — defined the FDLR as a threat to peace and committed MONUSCO to addressing it. That never happened. That long and consistent record demonstrates that the international consensus on the FDLR threat is not in dispute. What is lacking is not clarity but action. But it is not too late. As the Peace Agreement Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda makes clear, the two matters — the FDLR threat and Rwanda’s defensive measures — are inherently inseparable. By ignoring one and dramatizing the other, MONUSCO rendered itself unable to effectively discharge its mandate in its totality. That does not have to remain the case. We welcome any constructive contribution that MONUSCO can make to the implementation of the peace accord, and we are committed to supporting the Mission’s efforts to fulfil the relevant aspects of its mandate. Rwanda therefore welcomes the recent meeting between Special Representative Keita and the AFC/M23 leadership in Goma, which was long overdue. Special Representative Keita’s engagement marks a constructive step forward and reflects what Rwanda has long encouraged: direct dialogue to foster mutual understanding and address issues openly. MONUSCO can be effective only if it maintains the trust of all parties, and the Mission’s efforts should be focused on supporting all such initiatives aimed at bringing about peace. Instead of acting on the repeated mandates from the Council, MONUSCO has, at times, appeared to demonize any force or Government that insisted on their First, it must impartially prioritize the protection of civilians. Secondly, it must play a constructive role in facilitating dialogue among all relevant actors. Thirdly, it must cease the amplification of politicized narratives, which undermine confidence. It is a positive development that the Mission has finally begun to engage constructively with the AFC/M23. That shift is essential to building the trust and confidence needed on all sides to sustain meaningful dialogue and progress towards peace. We call on MONUSCO to tone down its rhetoric, end public attacks and focus, instead, on working and engaging in supporting the fragile but credible diplomatic initiatives under way. Rwanda remains convinced that a negotiated political solution is the only responsible and viable path, in particular in the light of the history of the Great Lakes region. The issues in the region, including the legitimate demands of the AFC/ M23 for civil rights, political inclusion and the implementation of previously agreed commitments, must be addressed seriously and through negotiation and dialogue. Failure to do so will ensure only the continuation of tension and the return of cyclical violence. As regards the Secretary-General’s recent report (S/2025/403), Rwanda reiterates the critical importance of impartial, non-politicized reporting. Balanced and factual reporting helps the Council to focus on root causes rather than on symptoms, to avoid instrumentalization and to make decisions that support long-term peacebuilding. When objectivity is compromised, reports become tools for selective narratives rather than instruments for collective action. Lastly, as we mark the eightieth anniversary of the United Nations, Rwanda reaffirms its unwavering commitment to peace and stability in our region and to constructive diplomacy. We continue to engage in good faith, with a sense of responsibility and a sincere desire to be part of the solution. We continue to work hand in hand with the United Nations, regional organizations and bilateral partners to ensure that the promise of the peace process is not only fulfilled but also sustained. We call on the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to address its internal challenges and not to externalize them. Rwanda is committed to supporting sustainable mechanisms that promote accountability and inclusive development. That includes participating in joint security efforts, confidence-building initiatives and regional economic integration. We also see a unique opportunity to turn the page on confrontation in favour of collaboration and on suspicion in favour of trust so that our nations can cooperate and prosper. As we look ahead, we urge the Council to uphold the principles of fairness, consistency and peace. The true measure of the Council will not be in how many conflicts it has managed but in how many it has truly resolved.

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