28 09 12 CHAIRPERSON’S SUMMARY OF THE HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON THE SITUATION IN THE EASTERN DRC
2. The
participants voiced concern at the serious security and humanitarian situation
in eastern DRC, due to the military activities of negative forces, mainly
the so-called 23 March Movement (M23). They strongly condemned the M23
and other negative forces operating in eastern DRC, and their attacks on
the civilian population, United Nations peacekeepers and humanitarian actors,
and called on the M23 and other negative forces to cease immediately all
forms of violence, including acts of sexual violence and the recruitment
and use of children. They reiterated that the full establishment of Congolese
State authority was of key importance and that all activities undermining
that authority, including the establishment of parallel administration
by the M23, contribute to instability in the region. They condemned those
activities and called on their perpetrators to cease them immediately.
3. Most
participants strongly condemned all forms of external support to the M23
and other negative forces in the DRC, and demanded the immediate and permanent
cessation of such support. They called for the M23 leadership to be held
accountable for violations of international humanitarian law, particularly
the commanders who are linked to past atrocities and present the gravest
risk to civilians. Some participants cautioned that those supporting the
M23 could also be held accountable.
4. The
deteriorating humanitarian situation in eastern DRC was of particular concern.
With more than 320,000 people displaced from their homes in North Kivu
province since the M23 mutiny started in April 2012, including some 60,000
who have been registered as refugees in Rwanda and Uganda, instability
in the sub-region seriously affects the lives, health, and livelihoods
of civilians who face continued threats of attacks, looting and other human
rights violations. The participants expressed concern about the shortfall
in funding for humanitarian assistance to people in need and the difficulty
in achieving humanitarian access in North Kivu due to insecurity and poor
road infrastructure. They called on all parties to the conflict to allow
safe, timely and unhindered humanitarian access to the areas under their
control. They welcomed the establishment by the ICGLR of a regional Humanitarian
Trust Fund and called on the international community to provide funding.
They further noted that the humanitarian situation is likely to continue
to deteriorate unless the M23 and other negative forces lay down their
arms, and the Government of the DRC and States in the region reach a political
solution.
5. The
participants welcomed the Government of the DRC’s commitment to restoring
peace and stability in eastern DRC and urged the Government to accelerate
efforts to reform its security sector and establish governance mechanisms
in eastern DRC. The also welcomed the efforts of States in the region to
find a durable solution to the insecurity and dire humanitarian situation.
In this connection, they reiterated the need to respect fully the principle
of non-intervention, and stressed the need to sustain efforts to eradicate
the presence of negative forces in eastern DRC and effectively extend State
authority in order to promote lasting peace, security and stability in
the region. They also agreed that respect for the territorial integrity
and sovereignty of the DRC was an inviolable principle and a matter of
vital importance for regional and international peace and security.
6. The
participants welcomed the efforts of the ICGLR and recalled the decisions
taken during its Summit meetings on 15 July, 8 August and 8 September 2012,
and those taken by the AU Peace and Security Council on 21 June and 19
September 2012. They looked forward to the upcoming ICGLR Summit in Kampala
on 8 October to further build on efforts to address the situation in eastern
DRC.
7. The
participants noted the need to pursue a political track in order to obtain
a sustainable solution, including through enhanced dialogue, and welcomed,
when and where necessary, further regional and international mediation
efforts. They stressed in particular the urgency of constructive engagement
and dialogue between the DRC and Rwanda. They further stressed the need
to address the underlying causes of the conflict in eastern DRC, and to
strengthen confidence-building mechanisms at all levels, including through
regular high-level meetings involving senior military and political officials
of the DRC and Rwanda. The participants called upon me to offer my good
offices to reinforce the diplomatic efforts of the ICGLR leaders, including,
as appropriate, through the appointment of a UN-AU Special Envoy, taking
into account the previous work done by UN-AU Special Envoys Olusegun Obasanjo
and Benjamin Mkapa. They also welcomed the cooperation between States in
the region and SADC in searching for a lasting solution.
8. The
participants welcomed the establishment of the expanded Joint Verification
Mechanism (JVM), which was launched on 14 September, as an important starting
point for rebuilding confidence between the DRC and Rwanda. The participants
reiterated the importance of the United Nations Organization Stabilization
Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) supporting the JVM. Participants urged international
partners to redouble their efforts to support the implementation of the
2006 ICGLR Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes
Region, which is critical to building confidence and promoting peace and
stability in the region.
9. The
participants noted with interest the decisions by the ICGLR and the AU
regarding the deployment of an “International Neutral Force” in eastern
DRC and the ICGLR’s call for a UN-AU mandate for the “International Neutral
Force”. They looked forward to receiving the report of the ICGLR Military
Assessment Team regarding the military capacity of the negative forces
operating in North Kivu, including the M23 and the FDLR, and a detailed
concept of operations. They called for close cooperation between the Executive
Secretariat of ICGLR, the AU Commission and the UN Secretariat to clarify
the modalities and means of the Force, and its coordination with MONUSCO.
10. The
participants expressed full support for the active measures taken by MONUSCO
to implement its mandate in eastern DRC, including in particular protecting
civilians displaced or threatened as a result of the violent activities
of negative forces, and encouraged the continuation of these efforts. They
also recognized the pressure the current crisis has put on MONUSCO in achieving
its mandate.
11. The
participants emphasized the primary responsibility of the Government of
the DRC to reinforce State authority in eastern DRC, including through
effective security sector reform, in particular army reform, to end impunity
for human rights violations, and encouraged the Government of the DRC to
pursue its efforts aimed at addressing issues such as the illegal exploitation
of natural resources. Participants welcomed the assistance of the United
Nations to address these and other issues that would contribute to ensuring
peace and stability in eastern DRC.
United Nations Headquarters
New York – 27 September 2012