On this day of March 28, 2024, Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, spoke out on the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), emphasizing the importance of a political solution to guarantee a lasting stability in the region. Dmitri Polyanskiy, Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia, highlighted the direct impact of this crisis on the entire Great Lakes and on interstate relations.
Moscow insists on the need to intensify regional mediation to ease tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali. According to Dmitri Polyanskiy, it is essential that all illegal paramilitary formations lay down their arms and join the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program without preconditions. Russia strongly condemns the offensive actions of the M23 and calls for an end to bombings causing civilian suffering.
Furthermore, Russia took note of the decision of the African Union to grant its auspices to the forces of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to support Kinshasa. Dmitri Polyanskiy stressed the importance of effectively coordinating actions with MONUSCO to overcome the crisis.
Russia said it was ready to discuss modalities of assistance to regional forces via MONUSCO following the publication of a report by the UN secretariat scheduled for June. This position of Russia underlines its commitment to contribute to the resolution of the crisis in the DRC in a political and peaceful manner.
In conclusion, Russia’s statement emphasizes the need for a political approach and regional mediation to end hostilities and create conditions for lasting stabilization in the Great Lakes region.