News in the Democratic Republic of Congo: EU recommendations following the United Nations report
The European Union (EU) expresses its deep concern at the disturbing conclusions of the final report of the United Nations group of experts mandated by the sanctions committee on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It strongly supports the recommendations of the report and welcomes the extension of the mandate of the group of experts by the UN Security Council.
The security and humanitarian situation in the DRC is of deep concern to the EU, which has noted a recent deterioration leading to an increase in humanitarian operations in the east of the country. The acts of violence and atrocities perpetrated with complete impunity against civilians, in particular by the armed groups M23, FDLR/FOCA, ADF, CODECO-URDPC and Zaire/MAPI, are sources of revolt for the EU. It strongly condemns these acts, in particular the massive sexual violence against women and girls, as well as the recruitment of children.
In this context, the EU calls on all armed groups to put an end to unlawful killings, rapes and other alleged war crimes. It calls for all those responsible for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law to be brought to justice and held accountable for their actions.
The EU also welcomes the decision of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to examine the acts committed in North Kivu, following the request of the Congolese authorities.
It is essential to put an end to this situation of violence and instability in the DRC. The EU calls for inclusive, democratic and transparent elections in December 2023. It encourages cooperation between the DRC and its neighbours, in particular Rwanda, in order to promote stability in the region.
In conclusion, given the gravity of the situation in the DRC, the EU fully supports the recommendations of the UN report. It calls for concrete action to put an end to human rights violations, impunity for the perpetrators of crimes and the deterioration of the security situation