The G7 Foreign Ministers have just released their joint statement on the Escalation of Violence in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
The G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America as well as the High Representative of the European Union have had a lot to say regarding the violence in DR Congo.
“We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, strongly condemn the Rwanda-backed M23 offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and in particular, the capture of Minova, Saké and Goma.”
The G7 urged M23 and the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) to cease their offensive in all directions, calling for the urgent protection of civilians.
They also called for an end to all direct and indirect support to the M23 and all non-state armed groups in the DRC.
“This offensive constitutes a flagrant disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DR Congo. We also condemn M23’s intention to continue expansion into South Kivu.”
According to the G7 the latest M23 offensive has led to a dramatic increase in displaced civilians in Goma and across eastern DRC, on top of the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people since the start of the M23 offensive in January.
“We deplore the devastating consequences of the renewed M23 and RDF offensive, worsening already difficult humanitarian conditions.”
G7 Foreign Ministers called for the rapid, safe and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians and reiterate that humanitarian personnel must be provided assurances of safety.
“We urge all parties to return to the negotiating table and honor their commitments under the Luanda Process. We urge the M23 to withdraw from all controlled areas. We also urge all parties to fully commit to a peaceful and negotiated resolution of the conflict.”
The Group reiterated their full support to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) to protect civilians and stabilize the region and call on all parties to respect its mandate.
“Attacks against peacekeeping personnel are entirely unacceptable. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the fallen peacekeepers of MONUSCO and the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC).”
The G7 concluded their statement by strongly condemning all attacks against diplomatic missions in Kinshasa.
The alliance admonished the Congolese authorities to take all appropriate steps to protect diplomats and the premises of diplomatic missions, as is their responsibility in accordance with international law.