Honourable Members of the European Parliament,

 

The EU is appalled by the increased military build-up and spike of violence in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the tragic consequences the population is once again forced to endure.

 

The intensification of the violence has created new waves of mass displacements  and has further deteriorated the already worrying humanitarian situation. Serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law multiply, within a context of complete impunity. The EU has stepped up its humanitarian response and has made EUR 100 million available for 2023, but many of the most vulnerable still do not receive the support they need, due to the gravity of the crisis and overwhelming needs.

 

 

I was in Angola last week and discussed with the Vice President and several Ministers the latest tensions between DRC and Rwanda. I have firmly reiterated our support to the Luanda and Nairobi processes. Following the signature of the Critical Raw Materials Memorandum of Understanding with Rwanda last week and my discussions in Luanda, I will engage with the President of DRC later this week in Brussels. We associate ourselves with the statement of the African Union Commission Chairperson of 21 February: there is no military solution to this crisis. Only an inclusive political dialogue that can address the root causes of insecurity and instability, the comprehensive and rigorous implementation of the decisions taken within the frame of the Luanda and Nairobi processes and the respect of the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of all the countries in the region, can break the cycle of violence and impunity once and for all.

 

 

The EU reaffirms its steadfast support to the Luanda and Nairobi processes and calls for their swift relaunch. Existing roadmaps must be implemented; existing verification mechanisms must be reactivated. The EU reiterates its condemnation of the actions by all armed groups that operate in Eastern DRC. Those groups must cease hostilities, withdraw from the areas they occupy, lay down their weapons, and be integrated in a disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process. All states in the region must cease any support, direct or indirect, to these armed groups. Rwanda must immediately withdraw its troops from DRC, cease all support to M23 and use all the means at its disposal to pressure this group to stop, withdraw and disarm.

 

Similarly, the DRC must cease any support and cooperation with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and other armed groups and ensure its population is protected from harm. DRC authorities must ensure that the instructions it issued to its armed forces last November with regard to the FDLR be swiftly implemented.

 

A final word to reiterate, once again, and in absolute terms our condemnation of hate speech and xenophobia, as well as ethnic-based narratives and politics.  According to some experts, the level of hate speech and ethnic violence reminds the worst pages of History in this region, where we are about to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

 

More than ever, we urge all political and civil society actors, including at the highest level, to refrain from such narratives and to intensify efforts against this.