Statement by the Chargé d’Affaires, Ambassador João Genésio de Almeida Filho, on the situation in the DRC (MONUSCO) - June 26th, 2023

Madam President,

I also thank ASG Martha Pobee for her insightful remarks. I welcome to this meeting the Representatives of the Democrativ Republic of the Congo and of Rwanda.

Madam President,

When this Council last met to discuss MONUSCO and the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we had recently arrived from our visit to that country. There, we heard time and again, from authorities and civil society, about the impact of the conflict on the population. We witnessed the plight of internally displaced people and could hear directly from them how their lives had been disrupted.

Of the dozens of different illegal armed groups that operate in the Eastern DRC, the one that was mentioned most often was the M-23. However not a large group in terms of personnel, it has a disproportionate impact due to the fact that it has a high level of organization and is well-equipped.

It is therefore encouraging to see a marked reduction of hostilities between the M-23 and the Armed Forces of the DRC in the last few months. We hope the M-23 lay down its arms and fully comply with the Luanda communiqué of 23 November 2022. We thank the mediation efforts of DRC's neighbors in the framework of the Nairobi and the Luanda Processes, which deserve the full support of the international community.

Unfortunately, just as the violence from the M-23 seems to abate, there is a horrifying upsurge in the attacks by other illegal armed groups. Brazil condemns - in the strongest terms - the attack on an IDP camp in Ituri province on 12 June. There is no justification for attacks on civilians. Brazil reiterates this Council's call for all armed groups to lay down their arms and disband. All external support to illegal armed groups in the DRC must stop.

Brazil has also vehemently condemned the attack perpetrated by the ADF on a school in Uganda, on 16 June. This attack is yet another reminder – if reminders are still needed - of the regional dimension of the conflict in the Eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region.

We take note of the full deployment of the Regional Force of the East African Community and the imminent deployment of Angolan troops which will help enforce the M-23's cantonment, as well as the decision of the SADC to send their own contingent. We also take note of the EAC decision to create a civilian head of mission in order to enhance political contacts in the DRC.

The presence of foreign contingents must be accompanied by ever greater coordination with the FARDC and MONUSCO, in order to maximize their contributions to the security of the DRC. We look forward to the results of the quadripartite summit between ECCAS, EAC, ICGLR and SADC that will take place tomorrow, in Luanda. We hope this meeting, organized under the auspices of the African Union and with the participation of the UN, will improve coordination among sub-regional efforts in addressing the crisis in eastern DRC.

Madam President,

We are encouraged by the significant reduction in the anti-MONUSCO sentiment in social networks. The mission's efforts certainly play a part in this, but other factors may be at play, such as the M-23 ceasefire and the perception of society that MONUSCO has played an important role in the protection of civilians against increasing violence by other armed groups. This is a reminder that strategic communications remain an important tool to increase the effectiveness of the mission in fulfilling its mandate.

Madam President,

During its three decades in the DRC, MONUSCO - and its predecessor MONUC - have played an invaluable role to peace and security in that country. Yet, we are fully aware that mission cannot, and should not last forever.

We take note, in this regard, of the request of the DRC's government to accelerate the mission`s departure. We also take note of the constant dialogue between MONUSCO and the DRC government representatives in the joint working group on transition, as well the USG Lacroix recent visit to Kinshasa to discuss this issue.

The mission`s departure without meeting the benchmarks in the transition plan would bring even more hardship to the people in the Eastern DRC. The transition must be well-coordinated with national and local authorities, as well as with the regional and other external forces present in the country. The role of the UN country team must be enhanced.

Madam President,

We take note of the efforts towards the preparation of the December election. It is of great importance that that the people of the DRC feel represented by their political institutions. We hope that the upcoming election takes place in an orderly and timely manner. May they set a new milestone towards a more stable and more prosperous future to the people of the DRC.

And I thank you.