The United States has warned actors in the Great Lakes region to stop any support or cooperation with M23 or other non-state armed groups.
In a statement on Tuesday by Ned Price, Department Spokesperson, the US also said it was deeply alarmed by the increase in hate speech and urged a halt to violent rhetoric.
“We also reiterate that involvement in planning, directing, sponsoring or conducting attacks against UN peacekeepers constitutes a basis for sanctions designations pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolutions,” it said, as it strongly condemned the resumption of fighting by M23 (the March 23 Movement) armed group in the DRC.
This came as thousands joined anti-Rwanda protests in the east Congolese city of Goma on Monday, denouncing Rwanda’s alleged support of M23 rebels as Kinshasa recalled its acting ambassador from Kigali in a further souring of relations. Rwanda has often denied this claim.
The statement said the resumption of hostilities since October 20 has caused significant human suffering, including deaths and injuries among civilians and significant numbers of newly displaced persons.
“The United States calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. We call for the US- and UN-sanctioned M23 armed group to withdraw from its positions, disarm, and rejoin the Inter-Congolese dialogue (Nairobi process) in preparation for disarmament, demobilization, and community reintegration offered by the Government of the DRC,” the statement said.
America further urge an immediate resumption of the Nairobi Process and of the Luanda trilateral mediation process to find a lasting resolution.
“All state parties of the East African Community (EAC) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) must uphold the principles agreed through the East African Heads of State Conclave and the Luanda mediation Process. Finally, we express our strong support for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC,” the statement added.
Tensions escalated this month after the group launched a new offensive in North Kivu province and captured the strategic town of Kiwanja on Saturday, prompting Congolese authorities to expel the Rwandan ambassador.
