The Democratic Republic of the Congo has asked the UN Security Council and MONUSCO to support and verify a planned operation to neutralise the FDLR….reports Africa Daily News Desk
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has called for United Nations support for an operation to neutralise the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) in eastern Congo, while urging all parties to fulfil their commitments under a UN Security Council resolution.
Following consultations after the Security Council’s 10,232nd meeting on the situation in the DRC on Tuesday, Congolese Permanent Representative Ambassador Zénon Mukongo Ngay outlined the country’s position and recent steps towards disarmament.
Mukongo recalled the signing on May 30 of a protocol for the disarmament, demobilisation and cantonment of the FDLR-FOCA, as well as the decision by three other armed groups to participate in a voluntary weapons-deposit process on August 29.
The ambassador said the DRC was preparing an operation to neutralise the FDLR in the NAI-1 zone and was seeking support from the Security Council and the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO to accompany and verify the process.
The DRC also called for equal commitment from all parties to the implementation of existing agreements and Security Council decisions.
Mukongo particularly referred to the need for an end to alleged support for the M23 armed group and the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory, in line with Security Council Resolution 2773.
The DRC has also requested that the United Nations suspend any new participation, deployment or rotation of Rwandan contingents in UN peacekeeping operations until the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory has been verified.
The Congolese government said such a measure was necessary to ensure what it described as consistency, credibility and ethical standards in UN peacekeeping operations.
The eastern DRC has faced prolonged instability involving armed groups, with regional and international efforts focused on securing ceasefires, disarmament and the withdrawal of foreign forces.
The DRC’s latest position comes as the Security Council continues to address the security and humanitarian situation in the country and the implementation of commitments aimed at reducing violence in the region.
