Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva at UNSC briefing on the situation in the Great Lakes Region
Mme.President,
We thank SESG Xia and ASG Msuya for the briefings. We closely followed the remarks by civil society representative, Ms.Pétronille Vaweka. We welcome Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Angola, Esmeralda Mendonça, as well as permanent representatives of the DRC and Rwanda to this meeting.
We closely follow the development in the Great Lakes region and must note that the situation in this part of Africa continues to be negatively affected by the security crisis in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
We are significantly concerned about the escalation of the conflict involving M23 paramilitary group. The related increase in tension between Kinshasa and Kigali also raises concern. We insist that sides must return to the full implementation of the agreements of the Luanda process.
We note with regret that the aggravation of the situation in eastern DRC has deepened contradictions among other regional states. It is important to prevent further degradation of the architecture of inter-State co-operation in the region.
The ongoing armed conflict in the east of the DR Congo is also a key reason for the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Great lakes Region of Africa. We have all just heard Ms. Msuya. What else is there to add about the scale of humanitarian challenges? Besides, hostilities serve as a cover for the continued illegal exploitation and smuggling of DRC’s natural resources. Numerous militias take advantage of these circumstances to strengthen their positions.
We support the actions of MONUSCO and its leadership to ensure peace and the protection of civilians. We unequivocally condemn attacks or violent acts against Blue Helmets. We also note the measures taken by the Southern African Development Community to promote a settlement in the DRC directly on the ground. It is important to ensure the necessary level of coordination with MONUSCO and identify effective modalities for joint work. We are ready to discuss the parameters for possible assistance by MONUSCO to regional forces after we receive the report from the United Nations Secretariat. We look forward to relevant proposals.
There is no doubt that a prompt resolution of the security crisis in the DRC is in the interests, first and foremost, of the countries of the region. This requires political solutions that could lead to a sustainable stabilization of the situation.
It is fundamentally important to intensify regional mediation and establish a direct and open dialogue among the GLR states. In this sense, we note separately the efforts of the President of Angola, J. Lawrence. We hope that they will facilitate mutual understanding among the parties involved.
This being said, the task of comprehensive implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes Region becomes more urgent than ever. We support the work of Special Envoy Xia to promote the revitalization of this fundamental document. We note his efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the region.
Russia will continue to promote the development of constructive dialogue among the countries of the GLR in order to find balanced and lasting solutions to regional problems.
Thank you.
