PRESS STATEMENT on the Democratic Republic of the Congo 29 August 2013 On 22 August 2013, the members of the Security Council heard a briefing by Mr Edmond Mulet, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, on the situation in Eastern DRC. The members of the Security Council condemned the resumption of fighting in Eastern DRC. They condemned in the strongest terms the repeated and targeted attacks by the M23 against civilians and MONUSCO, which have led to civilian casualties and loss of life, the death of a peacekeeper and the injury of several others, and damage to a MONUSCO ambulance. The members of the Security Council expressed their condolences to the family of the peacekeeper killed in the attack, as well as to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and to MONUSCO. They called on the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to swiftly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. They recalled that intentionally directing attacks against personnel, installations, material, units or vehicles involved in a peacekeeping mission in accordance with the Charter of the UN, as long as they are entitled to the protection given to civilians or civilian objects under the international law of armed conflict, constitutes a crime under international law. They reiterated their demand to M23 and other armed groups including FDLR to cease immediately all forms of violence and that their members immediately and permanently disband and lay down their arms. In this regard, they reiterated their readiness to adopt additional targeted sanctions against those acting in violation of the sanctions regime and the arms embargo. The Members of the Security Council also expressed concern at reports of repeated mortar shells and bombs from DRC territory landing in Rwandan territory, and called for a thorough investigation into the sources of these shells and bombs by the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM). The members of the Security Council commended the active steps taken by the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to implement its mandate, in particular the protection of civilians, and encouraged the continuation of these efforts. They welcomed SRSG’s Kobler order to the force to take all necessary actions to protect civilians. They emphasized that any effort to undermine MONUSCO’s ability to implement its mandate will not be tolerated. ------------------------------------------------ New York, 30 August 2013 - Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the deteriorating security situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo [scroll down for French version] un.org/sg/statements/index.asp?nid=7050 The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He condemns in particular the indiscriminate shelling by the M23 that caused deaths, injuries and damage among the civilian population in the eastern DRC and in the immediate border area in Rwanda, as well as among United Nations peacekeepers. The Secretary-General encourages all parties concerned to pursue a comprehensive political process aimed at addressing the root causes of the conflict. The Secretary-General calls on all regional actors concerned to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from any acts or statements that could lead to a further deterioration of the situation. He also calls on all Member States with influence in the region to assist in easing tensions. The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to the Great Lakes region and his Special Representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo are currently fully engaged in diplomatic efforts to help overcome the current situation. The Secretary-General stresses that the United Nations remains committed to taking all necessary actions to protect civilians in the eastern DRC in line with Security Council resolution 2098 (2013) and previous resolutions on the situation in the DRC, and emphasises that spoilers and those who violate international law must be held accountable. ******************************** Le Secrétaire général est profondément préoccupé par le regain de violence à l’est de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC). Il condamne en particulier les tirs non ciblés émanant du M23 qui ont causé des morts, des blessés et des dégâts matériels parmi la population civile à l’est de la RDC et dans les zones frontalières au Rwanda, de même que parmi les casques bleus. Le Secrétaire général encourage toutes les parties prenantes à poursuivre un processus politique global qui s’attaque aux causes profondes du conflit. Le Secrétaire général appelle tous les acteurs régionaux concernés à exercer la plus grande retenue et à s’abstenir de tous actes ou déclarations susceptibles d’entrainer une détérioration supplémentaire de la situation. Il demande aux Etats membres d’user de leur influence dans la région afin d’aider à l’apaisement des tensions. L’Envoyée spéciale du Secrétaire général pour la région des Grands Lacs et le Représentant spécial pour la République démocratique du Congo sont engagés en ce moment dans des actions diplomatiques intenses aux fins d’améliorer la situation actuelle. Le Secrétaire général tient à souligner que les Nations unies restent déterminées à prendre toutes les mesures nécessaires en accord avec la résolution 2098 (2013) du Conseil de sécurité, et avec les résolutions précédentes du Conseil, afin de protéger les civils à l’est de la République démocratique du Congo. Il souligne par ailleurs que les personnes qui entravent les processus actuels et celles qui enfreignent le droit international devront répondre de leurs actes.
Posted on: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 08:47:17 +0000
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