Statement delivered by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council meeting on “The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo”
Mr. President,
Guyana welcomes the urgent convening of this meeting given the recent developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly in Bukavu. I thank SRSG Keita and Mr. Xia for their briefings.
I welcome the participation of Her Excellency Ms. Thérèse Wagner, State Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the DRC and also the Permanent Representatives of several other African countries in this meeting.
Mr. President,
Guyana aligns with the statement delivered on behalf of the A3 and wishes to further elucidate in our national capacity. We are alarmed by the recent developments in eastern DRC, with the M23 expanding its territorial gains by more than 30 percent since 15 January, and with that, its violent attacks against innocent civilians.
The reports emanating from the United Nations about increased human rights violations and abuse are extremely concerning and demand a swift response from the international community including the Security Council.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has confirmed cases of summary execution of children by the M23 after they entered the city of Bukavu last week. The Office has also documented cases of ill treatment, conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, child and forced recruitment, intimidation and death threats.
Guyana condemns these violations by the M23, reportedly with the support of the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) and calls for an immediate ceasefire and for the group to withdraw to the pre-cantonment areas. We also call on Rwanda to cease its support to the M23 and to withdraw its forces from the territory of the DRC immediately and unconditionally.
We stress that it is unacceptable for foreign military forces of any country to enter the territory of another without authorization and call for full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC. Moreover, we call on the Government of the DRC to sever its ties with the FDLR and to implement its commitment to neutralize this group.
Mr. President,
As with any conflict situation, it is always the innocent civilians that bear the brunt. In this regard, we urge the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure allowing for unhindered access to essential services and delivery of humanitarian aid.
We call on all parties to uphold and fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law, including by ensuring the protection of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.
We also reject the severe restrictions being imposed upon MONUSCO’s freedom of movement, preventing efforts to assess the damage at the Goma airport and to assist with the safe disposal of unexploded ordnance across the city. MONUSCO must be allowed to implement its mandate without restrictions.
We further emphasize that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute a war crime and call for all hostilities against peacekeepers to cease. Guyana extends its full support to MONUSCO in the implementation of its mandate and insists on full accountability for any attack against MONUSCO personnel.
Mr. President,
The ongoing offensive in North Kivu and South Kivu poses a significant threat to peace and security of the Great Lakes Region and risks a wider regional conflagration. We must ensure that this does not happen.
For this reason, Guyana supports the initiative for this Council to speak with one voice and send a clear message to the parties. As we continue our deliberations on the draft resolution under consideration, we urge fellow Council members to focus on the bigger picture; to support the regional efforts to not only address the current crisis but more importantly, its root causes and to find a lasting solution.
We also encourage the international community to work together to deescalate rather than fuel tensions. There is no military solution to this crisis and now is certainly not the time for soundbite diplomacy. Any action that pulls states away from dialogue condemns their entire populations into cycles of conflict and violence and it is always the innocent civilian that suffers. The path to a lasting solution will only be found through dialogue, diplomacy and the rule of law.
In this regard, Guyana fully supports the regional mediation efforts, including the Luanda and Nairobi processes and welcomes the ongoing efforts of the African Union (AU), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in responding to the
crisis.
We also welcome the Communiqué adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council following their Summit meeting of 14th February, which endorsed the decisions of the EAC, SADC and joint EAC-SADC meetings and encourage the international community to support their implementation.
More importantly, we urge Rwanda and the DRC to return to dialogue and diplomacy, to fully implement their commitments under the regional processes and to engage in good faith with each other to reach a peaceful and sustainable solution.
In conclusion, Mr. President, Guyana reaffirms its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC and for all efforts that will bring peace to the region.
I thank you !
