The European Union (EU) expressed itself, yesterday, “extremely concerned regarding the escalation of violence in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo”, with the “use of advanced surface-to-air missiles and drones” around Sake and Ngoma
AUE reaffirmed, in a statement released by the office of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, its “firm support for the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes”.
“There is no military solution to this crisis, but only a political solution”, which “must be achieved through an inclusive dialogue between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda to address the root causes of the conflict”, he emphasizes. if in the declaration.
The existing roadmaps for peace in the region “must be implemented” and their verification mechanisms “reactivated”, in order to “ensure respect for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of all countries in the region”, reinforced Borrell’s office .
In the statement, the EU condemned “Rwanda’s support for the Tutsi-majority M23 rebel movement and its military presence in Congolese territory”, and “strongly urges Rwanda to immediately withdraw all its military personnel from the DRC, as well as to end the all support and cooperation” with that movement.
Likewise, the High Representative “strongly urges the DRC and all regional actors to end all support and cooperation with the FDLR Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, with a Hutu majority and supported by Uganda, which has its roots in genocide once morest the Tutsis, and with any other armed group”.
“All parties must do everything in their power to protect civilians, prevent violations of international law and ensure safe and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance for all people in need, immediately and without preconditions,” it added. if in the declaration.
The worsening humanitarian situation “exposes millions of people to human rights violations, including displacement, deprivation and gender-based violence”, highlighted the EU.
The EU expressed its “commitment to supporting peace, stabilization and sustainable development in the East of the DRC and the region as a whole”, stressing that this objective involves combating “bad governance and corruption, the lack of inclusive institutions , entrenched impunity and abuse of power, violent competition for access and control of land and other natural resources, as well as the use of illicit networks to traffic natural resources.”
Finally, the European Union condemned “the recent attacks, as well as the disinformation and disorientation suffered by some of its embassies and MONUSCO”.
“The EU underlines the legal responsibility of all States to protect the security of foreign citizens, as well as the personnel and assets of diplomatic missions”, the statement reinforces.
