United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has expressed concerns over the security situation in the Great Lakes region, saying it remains dire, as tension between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda heightens.
She communicated her fear yesterday at a UN Security Council briefing on the region in New York, stressing the need to galvanise international support for the EAC-led Nairobi Process and Luanda Process.
Thomas-Greenfield recalled efforts made six months ago regarding the development, urging stakeholders to shun human rights violations and abuses, as well as illicit activities, including unlawful mineral extraction.
The envoy recounted: “We called on all parties to act expeditiously to meet their commitments under the Luanda communiqué, including M23’s withdrawal to the Sabinyo Line, followed by cantonment and disarmament.
“While regional states have stepped up to help with this process, M23 has blocked access to pre-cantonment sites, hampering DDR efforts and interfering with MONUSCO’s important work.”
She reiterated that Rwanda must immediately end its support for the UN-sanctioned M23 and withdraw from DRC territory, urging the FARDC to cut ties with the UN-backed FDLR.
The American added: “We call on regional troops deployed to eastern DRC, whether bilaterally or through the East African Community, to coordinate with one another and MONUSCO.
“I want to once again urge all Council members to avoid endorsing greater MONUSCO support to the EACRF without appropriate safeguards, in line with UN policies to address human rights, accountability, and command and control concerns.
“These safeguards are vital to ensure we do not inadvertently worsen an already dangerous security situation.”She noted that conflict has displaced more than half a million people in 2023 alone, many of whom are being forced to live without access to adequate food, water, or medical care in camps filled far beyond capacity.
Thomas-Greenfield, who appreciated stakeholders from DRC and Rwanda, insisted that there must be credible and violence-free elections in the region, laying emphasis on all-inclusiveness in the electioneering process.
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