SECURITY COUNCIL PRESS STATEMENT ON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

 

The following Security Council press statement on the Democratic Republic of the Congo was read out by Council President Michel Kafando ( Burkina Faso):

The members of the Council heard a briefing by M. Mulet on the situation in North and South Kivu ( Democratic Republic of the Congo).

The members of the Council expressed their serious concern over the recent fighting between FARDC and the armed elements of CNDP (Congrès national pour la défense du peuple) and its humanitarian consequences.  They stressed that those clashes are a violation of the Actes d’Engagement de Goma by which CNDP and other armed groups in North and South Kivu had undertaken to observe a complete and immediate ceasefire, to begin the withdrawal of their forces with a view to their brassage or their disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, and to abide strictly by the rules of international humanitarian and human rights law.

The members of the Council regretted the failure by the signatories to respect and implement their commitments effectively and in good faith.  The members of the Council urged CNDP to immediately cease its offensive operations, to return to its positions held until 28 August, to surrender the military equipment taken from FARDC in the recent fighting, and to reengage constructively in the Goma peace process, including through its participation to the Mixed Technical Commission on Peace and Security.  The members of the Security Council take note of the letter by CNDP of 11 September announcing immediate and unilateral withdrawal of its troops.

The members of the Council recalled the demand of the Council in resolution 1794 (2007) that all illegal armed groups in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including the dissident militia of Laurent Nkunda, lay down their arms.

The members of the Council condemned the acts of hostility made against MONUC [United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo], and expressed their full support to MONUC in the implementation of its mandate, in particular its actions to protect civilians at risk.

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For information media • not an official record