Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 7th March. UN head Antonio Guterres on Monday has urged leaders of the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to respect a ceasefire agreement due into effect on Tuesday.
António Guterres welcomed the international and regional efforts led by the President of Angola and African Union Champion for Peace and Reconciliation, João Lourenço, with the Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) in a statement released by his Spokesperson in New York.
According to news reports, the European Union announced on Saturday that it would set up a “humanitarian aid bridge” to deliver aid to eastern DRC.
Head of MONUSCO described in the Security Council last December as a “dramatically” deteriorating security situation, and concerns over allegations from the Government of DRC that neighbouring Rwanda has been giving support to M23 a charge it strongly denies peace talks have been taking place in Kenya and Angola’s capital, Luanda.
According to the UN mission in DRC, a ceasefire was announced last Friday, in compliance with the decisions of the African Union Peace and Security Council on 17 February in Addis Ababa.
“The Secretary-General urges the M23 to respect the ceasefire in order to create conditions for its full and effective withdrawal from all occupied areas in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo”, the statement issued stated.
“in line with the decisions of the Luanda Mini-Summit held on the 23rd of November 2022.”
Guterres made clear he “condemns all violence against civilians and renews his call on all Congolese and foreign armed groups to lay down their weapons and disarm unconditionally.”
He urged all parties involved in fighting to ensure “immediate and unfettered humanitarian access to the affected population”, ensuring that civilians are protected, paying respect to international humanitarian law.
“He also calls on all actors to refrain from hate speech and incitement to violence.”
SG reaffirmed the UN’s support to the peace process which continues in the Angolan and Kenyan capitals, through his Special Representative in the DRC, and his Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region, the statement said.
He added that the UN stands ready “to step up efforts to bring about peace and security” in the restive eastern DRC region.
The head of MONUSCO, Bintou Keita, concluded a mission to the region, with a press conference in the largest city there, Goma.
She outlined that the Mission is maintaining a robust presence in M23-controlled areas to protect civilians and continues to provide support to the Congolese armed forces, in strict compliance with the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy”, said UN Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric in New York.
“Ms. Keita echoed the calls for a rigorous respect of the ceasefire that was announced on Friday and urged the M23 to withdraw from the occupied areas and disarm unconditionally.”
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