02 08 12 UN: Press Statement on the DRC

The Members of the Security Council reiterate their
strong condemnation of the M23 and its attacks, and reiterate their demands that
the M23 cease immediately all destabilizing activities, including any advances
towards the city of Goma. The Members of the Security Council urge the M23 and
all armed groups to cease all forms of violence, including acts of sexual
violence and the recruitment and use of children. They call on the relevant
institutions to ensure that all human rights violations are investigated and
that perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes. UN High Commissioner
for Human Rights Navi Pillay recently named five commanders linked to past
atrocities who present the gravest risk to civilians: ICC indictee Bosco
Ntaganda, Sultani Makenga, Baudouin Ngaruye, Innocent Zimurinda and Innocent
Kaina. 

The Members of the Security
Council express deep concern at the worsening humanitarian situation in the
North Kivu province of the DRC, especially the increasing number of displaced
persons and refugees, and call on the international community to provide
appropriate humanitarian support. They also express concern at the possible
negative impact of the prevailing situation on the security and humanitarian
situation in the South Kivu province of the DRC.

The members of the Security
Council welcome the recent discussion between President Kagame and President
Kabila to resolve the crisis, including through the International Conference for
the Great Lakes Region (ICGRL). They encourage the continuation of high-level
dialogue at the bilateral and regional level and a full implementation of the
existing regional mechanisms for addressing insecurity in the eastern part of
the DRC and finding a durable political solution. In this regard, they note the
planned ICGLR summit in Kampala on 7 August 2012.

The Members of the
Security Council reiterate their strong condemnation of any and all outside
support to the M23 and demand that all support to the Movement, including from
outside countries, cease immediately. They further call upon all countries in
the region to cooperate actively with the Congolese authorities in dismantling
and demobilizing the M23.

The Members of the Security Council reiterate their
full support for United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) and its operations
in the eastern part of the DRC and especially the region of Goma, including its
efforts to assist the Congolese Government in protecting civilians displaced or
threatened as a result of the violent activities of armed groups. They call on
all parties to cooperate fully with the Mission and strongly condemn any attacks
on its peacekeepers. They recall that the Congolese Government bears the primary
responsibility for the protection of civilians.