16 April 2025
As eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo remains gripped by violence, mass displacement and grave human rights violations, especially of women and children, the United Nations top official for the Great Lakes region urged the Security Council to support and encourage peace efforts — “messages of hope” — to end the decade-long conflict.
Presenting to the 15-member body the Secretary-General’s latest report on the implementation of the 2013 Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Region (document S/2025/202), Special Envoy of the Secretary-General Huang Xia noted that, despite the statement of intent for ceasefire, fighting continues in the eastern part of the country. “This sombre reality means we need to redouble efforts to see how, together, we can transform recent political and diplomatic progress into an irreversible shift to peace,” he stressed.
Outlining the progress achieved in the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes, the efforts of the African Union, as well as the joint initiative of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), giving new impetus to resolve the crisis, he underscored: “We need to recognize these, we need to encourage them and support them despite the challenges that still exist.” Efforts such as the peace discussions in Doha, Qatar. and the resumption of exchanges between the Burundi and Rwandan security services show that peace is still possible.
Therefore, it is critical for the warring parties to demonstrate good faith and be prepared to compromise, he said. “Obtaining an immediate unconditional ceasefire and reaching agreement on reopening humanitarian corridors should be the primary issue on the agenda,” he stated, adding that women of Goma, Bukavu and Beni “want arms to be laid down”.
Citing some authorities in the region, he called for greater coordination between different international peace initiatives, adding that these should “dovetail with efforts from the region” to “create complementarity” and achieve a robust, uncontested peace accord. He further warned that peace efforts will remain in vain if real political resolve to tackle the root causes of the region’s chronic instability do not exist. The Council should urge stakeholders in the Great Lakes to work together “sincerely” to bring about a definitive lasting settlement to the crisis by promoting the respect for international law, dialogue and compromise, he concluded.