STATEMENT AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFING ON THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - MONUSCO DELIVERED BY
H.E. DR. MICHAEL IMRAN KANU,
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SIERRA LEONE TO THE UN
27TH MARCH 2025 (Please check against delivery)
Madam President,
1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the members of the A3+, namely - Algeria, Guyana, Somalia, and my own country, Sierra Leone.
2. We thank Ms. Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) for her briefing and for presenting the Secretary-General’s quarterly report on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
3. We also thank Ms. Charlotte Slente, Secretary General, Danish Refugee Council for her contribution.
4. We welcome the participation of His Excellency Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda, and the representative of the DRC, Angola and Burundi in today’s meeting.
Madam President,
5. The A3+ extends sincere appreciation to the men and women of MONUSCO for their dedicated service. They continue to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to protecting the lives of the Congolese people despite the challenges and risks, particularly over this quarter.
6. In the context of ongoing hostilities, we are encouraged by recent improvements in security and humanitarian access that have allowed greater freedom of movement in the east. It is reassuring that evacuated MONUSCO personnel have been able to return to Goma, a positive sign of stabilization in that area.
7. These developments give hope that MONUSCO will be able to carry out the critical mandate entrusted to it by this Council. We reaffirm our full support for MONUSCO’s mandate and operations. As we look ahead, discussions about MONUSCO’s activities, including plans for its future role, must be conducted in consultation with the DRC Government and reflect the priorities of the Congolese people. National ownership and partnership are essential for the successful implementation of the Mission’s mandate.
8. We also acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the regional mechanisms to security efforts in eastern DRC. In this regard, the A3+ deeply appreciates the sacrifice and service of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC), which has now concluded its mandate. We thank the SADC Member States that contributed troops and resources to this operation, and we commend their continued political engagement, alongside the East African Community (EAC), in seeking a viable solution to the conflict in eastern DRC.
Madam President,
9. The A3+ remains profoundly concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in eastern DRC. The conflict continues to inflict a severe toll on the Congolese people. It has impacted every sector of society, exacerbating economic hardship, displacing millions, and upending entire communities. Children are out of school, women and girls are enduring increased conflict related sexual violence, compounded by the lack of adequate support systems for survivors. The overall situation is nothing short of catastrophic.
10. We again reiterate our urgent call for an immediate cessation of hostilities across eastern DRC. There is no justification for the continuation of this devastating conflict. Every additional day of fighting deepens the suffering and despair of the population. We must act now to silence the guns and halt the bloodshed.
11. The improved stability in the city of Goma is a window of calm that provides a crucial opportunity for humanitarian organizations to deliver life-saving assistance to those in need. We urge all aid agencies to seize this opportunity to reach vulnerable populations, and we call on all parties to ensure rapid, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian operations.
12. The A3+ welcomes recent steps toward de-escalation. In particular, we note the ceasefire announcement by the M23/AFC rebel group, including its commitment to withdraw from areas such as Walikale. We urge M23/AFC to fully honor these pledges and demonstrate restraint on the ground. All armed groups must end the violence immediately and uphold their ceasefire commitments. We call on this Council and the international community to support these efforts to ensure they lead to tangible peace.
13. The A3+ stresses further that all parallel administrations set up in the territory of the DRC must be dismantled and the AFC/M23 must relinquish control over all territory seized.
14. We strongly endorse the political process outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2773 (2025), which incorporates the regional perspective on political dialogue. Resolution 2773, adopted unanimously, reaffirmed the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, demanded an immediate and unconditional ceasefire by all armed groups, called for the withdrawal of any external support to those groups, and urged the resumption of dialogue under existing regional mechanisms. The A3+ calls for the swift and full implementation of this resolution by all concerned parties. Its message is clear and the A3+ reiterates that message: there is no military solution to this conflict.
15. Sustainable peace in the DRC will only be achieved through inclusive dialogue and African-led solutions. In this respect, we commend the concerted diplomatic efforts of African leaders and regional organizations to resolve the conflict. We pay special tribute to His Excellency President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola, who has tirelessly mediated between the DRC and Rwanda in the spirit of African-led solutions to African challenges. We also recognize the important facilitation role of former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya in the EAC-led Nairobi Process. These efforts have laid critical groundwork for peace.
16. We welcome the recent decision by regional leaders, at the joint EAC-SADC Summit on 24 March 2025, to harmonize the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes. This unified approach is critical and build upon the foundation laid by the facilitators of the Luanda and Nairobi Processes. Our shared goal is to reach a lasting settlement that addresses the root causes of the conflict, meets the aspirations of the Congolese people, and considers the legitimate regional security concerns.
17. We note that the African Union Peace and Security Council, at its February 2025 Summit meeting, also underscored the need for a coordinated response to the crisis and endorsed these regional initiatives. The EAC and SADC have shown commendable unity by adopting a joint roadmap to peace and appointing a high-level panel of facilitators, comprised of eminent former African Heads of State, to guide the peace process. The A3+ welcomes the establishment of this panel and urges all stakeholders to cooperate fully with the facilitators in the timely implementation of the roadmap. We also urge the full, equal and meaningful involvement of women in the peace process.
18. The Security Council must do its part to reinforce these African-led peace efforts. We urge the Council to remain engaged and to use all available tools to support the regional roadmap, including backing the joint peace process and the facilitator panel, and ensuring that the UN’s efforts, including those of MONUSCO, complement the regional strategy.
Madam President,
19. The A3+ gratefully acknowledges the support from international partners to the DRC in the form of humanitarian aid, development assistance, and diplomatic engagement. At the same time, we stress that all external efforts must be closely coordinated with the Congolese authorities and aligned with the region’s peace initiatives.
20. We welcome the outcomes of the trilateral meetings hosted by the State of Qatar in Doha on 18 March 2025, which brought together His Excellency President Felix Tshisekedi and His Excellency President Paul Kagame. In light of commitments made by both leaders in Doha to remain fully engaged in the joint Luanda and Nairobi processes, the A3+ stresses that all processes for peace and security in DRC should align with this commitment within the African-led process.
21. The presence of external mercenary forces risks exacerbating the situation and undermining ongoing efforts. We therefore call on all actors to respect the DRC’s sovereignty. In line with Resolution 2773, all uninvited foreign forces should withdraw from Congolese territory. Neighbouring countries must ensure they are not providing support or safe haven to any armed group.
22. In closing, Madam President, the A3+ reiterates its unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, peace, and stability of the DRC. We commend the parties for their continued engagement and willingness to pursue dialogue, in search of a peaceful resolution. These are encouraging steps toward rebuilding trust and security in the country.
23. The A3+ calls on the Security Council and the international community at large to provide steadfast and meaningful support to the DRC. This means not only bolstering MONUSCO’s efforts on the ground, but also fully backing the ongoing regional political initiatives that offer the best hope for a durable peace. We must all remain actively seized of the matter and ready to assist as needed.
24. The people of the DRC have suffered far too long. They are looking to us, in Africa and around the world, to help end their ordeal. We must not fail them.
I thank you.
Comments