16 April 2025
Thank you, Mr. President.
I thank Special Envoy Xia, Executive Director Russell, and H.E. Foreign Minister Antonio for their briefings today. I would also like to welcome the participation of Foreign Minister Wagner of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as representatives of Rwanda and Kenya here today.
Mr. President,
The picture our briefers have painted is a complex one.
From protracted conflicts and displacement to political instability and fragile institutions, the situation demands our urgent and unified attention.
Allow me to make three points.
First, there is an urgent need for a cessation of hostilities in Eastern DRC, and the full implementation of resolution 2773.
Denmark has, along with other Council members, stressed this point in the last many meetings.
Specifically,
The M23 must halt and reverse its territorial control and the establishment of parallel administrations.
The DRC must effectively neutralise the FDLR.
Rwanda must withdraw its forces from DRC territory, and cease its support to the M23.
These demands have been made on multiple occasions, and we reiterate them firmly today.
With humanitarian needs and displacement on the rise, there is an urgent need to immediately deescalate and defuse tensions between the parties.
Second, we welcome any efforts towards promoting sustainable peace in the DRC and the Great Lakes Region.
We note positively the meeting between the DRC and Rwanda on 18 March and the efforts to facilitate further meetings between the parties in Doha.
It is our hope that these steps will complement and be coordinated with the peace process initiated and led by the EAC, SADC, and the African Union.
The UN system, including the Special Envoy and MONUSCO, can offer a wealth of expertise to mediation efforts as well as transitional justice.
We urge all parties to utilize this resource as well as the collective knowledge and capacity of all the actors in the region in the pursuit of a ceasefire, and ultimately an inclusive and comprehensive peace agreement.
Such an agreement must address hate speech and xenophobia, and foster long-term community cohesion.
Additionally, we underline that the full, equal and meaningful participation of women is central.
We commend the efforts undertaken by, among others, the Office of Special Envoy Xia, the ICGLR, and President Lourenco of Angola, to empower women and youth in the region in collaboration with the Congolese authorities, and we encourage further action in this regard.
Third and finally, many of the Great Lakes region’s challenges are exacerbated by the adverse effects of climate change.
This includes food insecurity, water scarcity, environmental degradation, and competition over natural resources.
We encourage the implementation of comprehensive climate adaptation strategies and the promotion of conflict resolution mechanisms that address the root causes of resource competition.
Mr. President, in closing,
In order to rebuild trust across the region, all parties must uphold the core principles of the Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework.
Principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, and desisting from tolerating, aiding or supporting armed groups. All parties must demonstrate the political will to address the drivers of the conflict, and Denmark supports the revitalization of the Framework.
It is time for a renewed commitment to political dialogue and a unified approach to peace, with protection of civilians at the centre.
The Security Council and the international community must continue to stand in solidarity with the people of the region, ensuring that both the humanitarian needs and the root causes of conflict are addressed effectively.
Thank you.