In a strongly-worded statement, the United States has condemned the escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), attributing it to the actions of the Rwanda-backed and U.S.- and UN-sanctioned M23 armed group. The recent incursions into the town of Sake have heightened concerns about the safety of millions of people already exposed to human rights abuses, including displacement, deprivation, and attacks.
The U.S. government has called on the M23 armed group to immediately cease hostilities and withdraw from its current positions around Sake and Goma. The plea is in line with the Luanda and Nairobi processes, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Additionally, the United States has condemned Rwanda’s support for the M23 armed group, urging Rwanda to withdraw all Rwanda Defense Force personnel from the DRC and remove surface-to-air missile systems that pose a threat to civilians, UN and regional peacekeepers, humanitarian actors, and commercial flights in the region.
The statement underscores the importance of respecting each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while holding all parties accountable for human rights abuses. The U.S. government calls on the government of the DRC to support confidence-building measures, including discontinuing cooperation with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group labeled as a “negative force” by regional bodies and the DRC government.
The United States continues to express support for regional diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation and creating conditions for lasting peace in the DRC. The international community urges all sides involved in the conflict to participate constructively in reaching a negotiated solution, emphasizing the significance of diplomatic initiatives to address the root causes of the crisis.
