The Russian Federation has condemned the activities of the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Speaking during the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) briefing on the situation in DRC, Russia’s Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia called for the cessation of hostilities and an immediate withdrawal of M23 fighters from captured areas.
“Russia expresses its solidarity with the Government and the people of the DRC in this difficult period. We insist on the need for unconditional respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and unity of this country in accordance with the UN Charter.
“Russia decisively condemns the actions of the M23 group. We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for the withdrawal of the fighters of this illegal armed group from the settlements it has captured and from the DRC territories it has occupied,” he said.
Nebenzia called on Rwanda to adhere to all relevant demands made by members of the Security Council and the African Union to lift its “defensive measures” and withdraw its military units from DRC.
He insisted that the escalation in Eastern DRC must be stopped but only through political dialogue between DRC and Rwanda.
“The escalation in the east of the DRC must be stopped. However, there is no military path to resolving the crisis.
“It is only possible through a political agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, who need to return to the negotiating table, reaffirm their commitments to their mutual obligations under the Luanda process and agree on ways to stabilize the situation.
“The conflict has a long and very bloody history, and its root causes need to be addressed.”
Russia, however, noted a lasting settlement will only be achieved if DRC ceases its interactions with illegal armed groups, in particular with the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR).
The Federation said that it also welcomes efforts by regional States and African leaders to facilitate stabilization in the east of the DRC.
“We take note of the important decisions made at the summits of the African Union, SADC, East African Community (EAC), and Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). We hope that the parties will heed the voices of their neighbours on the continent and the declared measures will be finally taken and bear fruit.
“What is paramount here is the efforts to stop the suffering of the civilian population. We are deeply concerned about the humanitarian consequences of the escalation in the east of the DRC,” Russia said.
In the remarks, Moscow called out DRC’s association with European private military companies, adding that it was wrong for European and American colleagues to intentionally refuse to address such matters.
Russia insisted that it is the reason instability continues to exist in Africa.
“We all saw they surrender weapons to MONUSCO peacekeepers, and footage of the subsequent transportation of European mercenaries to Kigali was broadcast around the world. We believe that those events do not entirely correspond with how Russia views the UNSC’s mandate of the mission.
“We are also convinced that the silence of our European and American colleagues with regard to such ambiguous facts is at odds with their declared commitment to condemning African bilateral security cooperation with other States. This is particularly surprising given the years-long ramped-up disinformation campaign against Russia over its enhanced cooperation with African States on security issues... This, by the way, is also one of the reasons why the conflicts in Africa continue.”
