Luanda - The Peace and Security councils of the African Union and the United Nations expressed, last weekend, in New York, deep concern about the prevailing insecurity and the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to a press release sent to ANGOP, the concern is due to the continuous violence and human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law by the resurgent M23 and other armed groups.
Gathered at their 18th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting, which took place from the 15th to the 19th of this month, the AU Peace and Security Council and the members of the UN Security Council urged that all those implicated in human rights abuses and violations be held accountable.
On the other hand, they welcomed the efforts of the DRC, neighboring countries and the entire region towards stability in the eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region, based on the commitments made under the Framework Agreement for Peace, Security and Cooperation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Region, as well as the Luanda and Nairobi Processes.
They called on all parties to fully implement all commitments made in this context, stressing that the challenges facing the Great Lakes Region cannot be solved only by military paths.
They highlighted the need for ongoing political processes to address the root causes of conflict in the region, while respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the DRC.
In this context, they welcomed the ceasefire agreement signed by the DRC and Rwanda on July 30, 2024, under Angola's mediation, as well as the decision to get started with the FDLR neutralisation plan and to develop a plan to withdraw its forces, urging all parties to the conflict to respect the agreement.
The event was preceded by preparatory consultations of the Committee of Experts of the Peace and Security Council and the Ad Hoc Working Group of the Security Council on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa, held in New York, between the 11th and 16th of October.
They reaffirmed that development, human rights, peace and security are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, highlighting the relationship between the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the AU's Agenda for 2063.
The AU-PSC and UNSC (United Nation Security Council) members reaffirmed the significant contribution of AU-led Security and Peace Operations and UN Peacekeeping Operations in maintaining regional and continental peace and security in a specific context, highlighting the experience of AU-led PSOs in peace enforcement.
The AU-PSC and members of the UN Security Council commended the contribution of women in promoting peace and security and their active and effective participation in the promotion and consolidation of peace, including conflict prevention and resolution, mediation and in peace operations at local level.
Angola was represented by Ambassador Miguel Bembe, permanent representative at the African Union.
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