KINSHASA, DRC – Huang Xia, the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, has condemned the escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The region is experiencing renewed clashes between the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and the March 23 Movement (M23), leading to a rapidly deteriorating security situation in the eastern part of the country.
Huang Xia expressed deep concern over the breakdown of the ceasefire and the territorial expansion of the M23, which has exacerbated an already precarious humanitarian crisis for civilians.
He called on all parties involved to prioritize dialogue, urging adherence to the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes.
“The escalation of tensions and the breakdown of the ceasefire are worsening the humanitarian situation, and this must stop,” Huang Xia stated. “Dialogue within the frameworks of the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes is essential to resolve this conflict.”
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The Special Envoy emphasized the need for all parties to respect their commitments under the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the DRC and the region, signed in 2013 in Addis Ababa.
He highlighted that violations of territorial integrity and support for armed groups undermine the peace efforts.
Huang Xia reminded stakeholders that persistent hostilities jeopardize collective efforts to achieve stability and sustainable development in the Great Lakes region.
He pledged the UN’s continued support for the peace processes to alleviate the suffering of the affected populations and achieve a peaceful resolution.
“The United Nations remains committed to working closely with the governments of the region, the African Union, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and international partners to revitalize the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement,” Huang Xia reaffirmed.
To address the ongoing crisis, Huang Xia called for the urgent convening of the Twelfth High-Level Meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the PSC Framework.
This meeting aims to enable regional Heads of State to tackle the root causes of the conflict, examine the draft Action Plan for the revitalization of the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement, and establish lasting peace in the Great Lakes region.
