UNSC Appeals All Domestic Armed Groups In DR Congo To Lay Down Arms

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday made an appeal to all domestic armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to lay down their arms, reported The Print.

“The Security Council urges all domestic armed groups to immediately cease all forms of violence, permanently disband and lay down their arms, and participate in the Demobilization, Disarmament, Community Recovery and Stabilization Program,” a statement released by the UNSC read.

In the statement, the Security Council urged all armed groups operating in eastern DRC to participate unconditionally in the inter-Democratic Republic of the Congo dialogue led by President Felix Tshisekedi and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta.

The UNSC expressed concern over the increase of armed group activity in the eastern provinces of the DRC and reiterates its condemnation of all armed groups operating in the country.

The council also appealed to all foreign armed groups in the DRC to disarm and return unconditionally and immediately to their respective countries of origin.

On other issues, the UNSC encouraged continued consideration of the needs and experiences of women and youth as well as the protection of children’s rights as an integral part of those processes.

“The Security Council reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” it said.

According to the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR), at least 170,000 civilians have been driven from their homes since last November due to fighting in eastern DRC.

Earlier this week, Senegalese President Macky Sall, who is also the Chairperson of the Africa Union, on Sunday, called for dialogue between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as tensions escalate between the two neighboring countries following the resurgence of the M23 rebellion.

The M23 rebel group originally consisted of soldiers who participated in a mutiny from the DRC national army in April and May 2012. It briefly captured Goma before UN-backed government troops forced it back into Rwanda and Uganda in 2013.

The group resurfaced in November last year after accusing President Felix Tshisekedi of not upholding existing peace agreements.