Fatshimetrie calls for concerted international action to resolve the security crisis plaguing the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The international community should exert maximum pressure on Rwanda and the M23 to ensure compliance with regional peace initiatives, such as the Luanda and Nairobi road maps.
The permanent representative of the DRC to the UN, Zénon Mukongo, stressed during a recent intervention before the Security Council that Rwanda and the M23 continue to occupy conquered areas in the province of North Kivu, thus defying peace agreements and appeals from international bodies. This persistent impunity seriously harms pacification efforts in the region and compromises the security of local populations.
The DRC remains committed to the Luanda and Nairobi processes, and calls on the UN Security Council to support these initiatives by intensifying pressure on the actors responsible for instability in the region. It is crucial to strengthen judicial cooperation and fight impunity to achieve a lasting resolution to the conflict.
It is essential that the States of the Great Lakes region collaborate closely for the withdrawal of negative forces and the neutralization of foreign armed groups which fuel insecurity in the DRC. Each country concerned must take its responsibilities and act effectively to defuse tensions and protect its borders against terrorist infiltration.
Despite the efforts made and the ongoing military operations, the situation remains precarious in eastern DRC, due to the persistent activism of armed groups. The resurgence of the M23, supported by Rwanda, aggravates the situation and compromises the progress of regional peace initiatives.
There is an urgent need for the international community to act in a coordinated manner to end impunity and restore stability in the Great Lakes region. Regional cooperation is essential to prevent new cycles of violence and guarantee the security of civilian populations, who are the first victims of this protracted conflict.
In conclusion, resolving the security crisis in the DRC requires collective mobilization and concerted action by all actors involved. It is time to act decisively to end the violence and pave the way for lasting peace in the region.