A3+ Consolidated Statement At The Emergency Security Council Meeting on the Situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mr. President,

1. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the A3+ members: Algeria, Guyana, Somalia, and my own country, Sierra Leone.
2. We are deeply grateful to SRSG Ms. Bintou Keita, USG Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and ASG Joyce Msuya for their thorough and detailed accounts of the alarming situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
3. We also warmly welcome the participation of E. Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, Foreign Minister of the DRC, and the representative of Rwanda at this important emergency meeting.
4. At the outset, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Government of the DRC and the family of General Peter Chirimwami, Governor of North Kivu. Our thoughts are also with the families of the fallen UN peacekeepers and the SAMIDRC contingent. We wish a speedy and full recovery to all those injured.
5. We express our unwavering solidarity with the United Nations and humanitarian actors on the ground, who continue their essential work under incredibly difficult and dangerous conditions.

Mr. President,

6. In recent days, the A3+ has been actively engaging with a broad range of stakeholders to assess how the UN Security Council can best assist the Congolese people in bringing an end to the violence in eastern DRC, following the breach of the ceasefire by the M23/AFC.
7. Our consultations with the governments of the DRC and Rwanda, alongside discussions with the UN Secretariat, have reinforced a singular, undeniable conclusion: the resolution of the conflict in eastern DRC must be political, not military. In this context we affirm that the Luanda and Nairobi processes remain viable paths to peace.
8. Let us be clear, while we advocate for a political solution, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo must be respected by all States and non-state actors alike.
9. In light of the recent developments in the DRC, the A3+ would like to underscore the following key points:
10. First, we unequivocally condemn the killings of MONUSCO peacekeepers and SAMIDRC military personnel during the current offensive by the M23/AFC rebel group. We commend MONUSCO for maintaining its defensive posture in protecting civilians and fulfilling its mandate. We call for continued coordination between MONUSCO, the FARDC, and SAMIDRC in line with their mandates and relevant Security Council resolutions.
11. We also strongly condemn the spoofing and jamming of GPS signals used by MONUSCO, and demand that the M23/AFC cease such disruptive activities.
12. While the international community rightly focuses on evacuating its citizens, diplomats, and staff, we must not forget the safety and security of the Congolese people who have nowhere to seek refuge. The protection of millions of Congolese civilians remains a top priority for the A3+, and we urge MONUSCO to continue its vital role in safeguarding both the population and critical infrastructure in Goma.
13. Second, we call on the M23/AFC rebels to immediately cease hostilities, halt their offensive, and return to their designated pre-cantonment areas. The M23/AFC must engage through the Nairobi process and silence their guns.
14. As we have stated, the ultimate resolution to the conflict in eastern DRC lies in political dialogue. In light of recent developments, the A3+ calls on all parties to engage meaningfully and in good faith in order to create the conditions for peace.
15. In this context, we call on the Government of the DRC to engage in good faith with all relevant stakeholders and commit to the neutralization of the FDLR, as outlined in the Harmonized Plan within the framework of the Luanda Process.
16. We call on the Government of the DRC and the Government of Rwanda to return without preconditions to the diplomatic talks, under Luanda process, to achieve a lasting and peaceful resolution of the conflict in the region, including by addressing respective issues pertaining to the neutralisation of the FDLR and disengagement of the forces outside the territory of the DRC.
17. Third, we strongly urge those who continue to support the M23’s advancement to immediately cease such assistance, as it undermines the long-term peace and stability of both the DRC and the broader region.
18. We are deeply concerned about the January 25th communiqué from the M23 and AFC, which can only exacerbate tensions and undermines prospects for peace. The Government of the DRC must receive our collective support as a Council in its efforts to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity and to ensure the protection of its people.
19. Further, we urge this Council to work strenuously to promote meaningful engagement to de-escalate tensions and to avoid attributing blame to the parties to the conflict. We further urge proactive support for the Luanda and Nairobi processes. This includes ensuring that no external actors, intentionally or unintentionally, contribute to the perpetuation of the conflict between Rwanda and the DRC, including through the provision of weaponry and other resources.
20. Fourth, we emphasize the urgent need to resume the Nairobi process. We call on the DRC Government to be fully committed to the process, and we encourage continued African leadership for engaging all relevant stakeholders and revitalizing the process, with the full backing of the international community.

Mr. President,

21. As we call for an end to the M23/AFC offensive, the international community must take immediate action to support MONUSCO in alleviating the severe humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC. According to OCHA, there are currently 6.5 million displaced persons in the country, with over 34,000 newly displaced individuals seeking refuge around Goma. Emergency hospitals in Goma are overwhelmed, with more than 290 individuals wounded, including 90 civilians, many of whom have life-threatening injuries. We must rally behind MONUSCO and other UN agencies to provide vital medical assistance.
22. We are also deeply concerned that 80% of Goma’s electricity and water supply has been damaged due to the M23/AFC offensive. Furthermore, over 400,000 children are currently out of school as a result of the closure of educational institutions in the region.
23. In closing, President, we wish to express our gratitude to H.E. President João Lourenço of Angola and former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya for their unwavering commitment to peace in Eastern DRC and their important contributions under the Luanda and Nairobi processes respectively. We also echo the call of H.E. Moussa Faki, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, urging all parties to engage in the ongoing peace efforts under the auspices of the Luanda and Nairobi processes.

I thank you.