The United Nations Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
This comes as Rwanda-backed rebels have seized control of two key cities in Congo’s mineral-rich eastern region within less than a month, marking a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between the rebels and Congolese forces.
Nicolas de Rivière, France’s Representative to the United Nations, emphasized that there is no military solution to the crisis.
“The M23 offensive, supported by Rwanda, must end. The priority now is to reach an effective, unconditional, and immediate ceasefire agreement,” he stated.
Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame, has accused Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi of ignoring the concerns of Congo’s ethnic Tutsis and failing to uphold previous peace agreements.
Meanwhile, Zénon Mukongo Ngay, the DRC’s Representative to the United Nations, expressed gratitude to the Security Council for its resolution.
“While it took the Council some time to reach a consensus, its resilience is evident.
On behalf of the Government and all citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially those from Bunagana to Kamanyola, Goma, Sake, Minova, Nyabibwe, Kalehe, Kavumu, and Bukavu, I sincerely thank all members of the Council,” he said.
According to U.N. experts, the rebels are supported by approximately 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda.
At times, the rebels have threatened to advance toward Congo’s capital, Kinshasa, located over 1,000 miles away.
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