Brussels, 26/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Union is following with concern and condemns the worsening security and humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), further to the mutiny and renewed fighting in the province of North Kivu. On Tuesday 26 June, Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, urged all armed groups to stop the fighting, spare civilians and ensure access for humanitarian workers.
The commissioner voices alarm at the humanitarian situation in North Kivu especially. In an official statement, she warns: “Populations are being taken hostage and are paying a heavy price because of the fighting between armed groups and the regular Congolese army. Innocent people are being killed, raped and forced to flee their homes. The humanitarian community has reached the absolute limit of its ability to respond to the needs of the people”
The previous day, EU27 foreign ministers had condemned the violence and, in the unanimous Council conclusions, set out the EU's call to all the countries of the region to cooperate actively with the Congolese authorities with a view to demobilising the M23 group and all the other armed groups. “The EU is concerned at the recent reports of outside support for the mutineers in contravention of the UN Security Council's sanctions regime. It requests that the credible reports should be the subject of a detailed investigation. The EU urges the partners in the region, in particular the DRC and Rwanda, to continue talking so that the violence can be ended as soon as possible and a lasting political solution put in place. The EU urges all players involved, including the armed groups, to make every effort to protect the population and allow access for humanitarian assistance”, the Council stressed.
The EU also reiterates its call for all those responsible for serious violations to be brought to justice, and encourages MONUSCO to continue the stabilisation efforts that fall within its mandate. It reiterates its commitment to promoting stability, security and development in the region, including via support given in the key area of security sector reform. (AN/transl.jl)