Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 6th April. UN Security Council on Friday strongly condemned the latest rise in attacks by the M23 rebel group in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo which has undermined security and exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation.
Bintou Keita, the head of the UN mission, MONUSCO briefed the Council earlier which condemned all armed groups operating in the country and demanded the immediate cessation of hostilities and of any further advances by the M23.
They expressed concern over ongoing displacement in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu and called on all donors to scale up support in response to the 2024 humanitarian response plan.
They called on all parties, in particular the M23 and Congolese armed groups, to provide safe, timely and unhindered humanitarian access to those in need and to end attacks against civilians.
Council condemned “foreign military support provided to M23 and any other armed group”, saying any such assistance must end and that foreign fighters must withdraw.
They expressed deep concern at the reports of the Group of Experts on the DRC on foreign military support for M23 involved the Russia-based Wagner Group and direct military interventions on DRC territory.
Council members condemned in the strongest terms recent attacks against MONUSCO, its personnel and its assets and reiterated their support to the gradual, responsible and sustainable withdrawal of the UN Mission.
They strongly encouraged DRC authorities to take concrete action, including accelerated security sector reform and timely implementation of the national disarmament and demobilisation programme.
Council members called on all parties to maintain diplomatic dialogue and to engage on concrete steps towards de-escalation.
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