On Thursday 5 March, the European Union, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, as members of the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG), chaired by Sweden, called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and for compliance with the commitments made under the Washington agreements of 4 December (see EUROPE 13767/26) and the Doha process of 19 July.
In a joint statement, the group expressed its “profound concern” at the persistent ceasefire violations, in particular the use of drones in military attacks, which pose an increased risk to civilian populations.
“All parties involved should urgently and unequivocally recommit to ceasing the hostilities and return to negotiations. There can be no military solution to this conflict”, stated the ICG.
The group urged all parties to resume negotiations and to comply with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, as well as respect for territorial integrity. It welcomed the mediation efforts underway, in particular those of the mediator appointed by the African Union, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, as well as the action of the United States and Qatar.
ICG members also called for respect for international humanitarian law, unhindered humanitarian access and an end to hate speech, particularly against Rwandan-speaking minorities.
To see the statement: https://aeur.eu/f/l1r (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)