Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at UNSC briefing on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mme.President,
We thank SRSG Bintou Keita for the briefing. We were deeply concerned over the news about a MONUSCO helicopter that went missing today. Let me reiterate our full support for the activity of MONUSCO peacekeepers.
We note with concern that security problems in eastern and northeastern areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have exacerbated. In particular, in provinces Kivu and North Ituri, where the state of emergency has been in effect since May 2021, and contingents of the DRC and Uganda have been conducting a joint military operation since November 2021. While we welcome efforts of the authorities aimed at combating the militants, we have to state that so far the DRC armed forces, their regional allies, and MONUSCO peacekeepers have not been able to curb essentially the potential of numerous illegal armed formations.
We note that some armed groups, first of all “Allied Democratic Forces”, boost their activity. It is with great concern that we have seen CODECO enhance its activity recently – since 1 February this year, attacks by CODECO fighters in Ituri killed more than 50 people, including women and children. Russia supported the Security Council Press Statement of 4 February 2022 that condemned this heinous act. Over the first few months of the year, attacks against civilians occurred repeatedly. We are particularly concerned over attacks on IDP camps and use of improvised explosive devices by armed groups.
We believe that in order to fight the militants effectively, we need further enhancement of coordination between MONUSCO and the DRC security forces, as well as capacity building of the latter. We welcome the institution of Joint Operations Coordination Center for MONUSCO and the DRC troops, as well as establishment of trilateral cooperation with participation of Ugandan military. Also, we support reinforcement of MONUSCO’s Force Intervention Brigade.
When implementing the joint transition plan for a step-by-step drawdown and complete withdrawal of MONUSCO by 2021 that was signed by the DRC authorities and the Mission’s leadership on 15 September 2021, it is essential to take into account the situation on the ground, act gradually and responsibly.
The problem of illegal exploitation of natural resources by the fighters who use them to finance their activity and build combat capacity remains urgent.
We hope that the leadership of the DRC jointly with MONUSCO peacekeepers and international partners will be able to regain control of the security situation and ensure normalization. It’s also important to implement non-military measures – strengthen state institutions, improve humanitarian situation, create conditions for sustainable socio-economic development. Implementation of a program for disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of former combatants, assisted by the Blue Helmets, remains a priority for ensuring lasting settlement and reconciliation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Pending presidential elections are expected to become a central event of the DRC political life in the near term. It is important to make sure that they are held within the terms set out by the Constitution, are inclusive, and comply with international voting standards. We welcome the efforts of the authorities to prepare the vote.
We positively assess the commitment of DRC’s neighbors to developing practical cooperation in the interests of stabilization in the Great Lakes Region. We note the dynamic of bilateral dialogue in the region, first of all regarding issues of security, strengthening national borders and combating illegal SALW trafficking. We welcome efforts by leaders of regional states, Southern African Development Community, and the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region. Another important development was the meeting of heads of states and governments of the Addis Ababa Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework agreement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Great Lakes Region that convened in February this year.
Thank you.
