28 January 2025
Thank you, Mr. President,
Thank you DSRSG van de Perre for your briefing on this serious and evolving situation.
I welcome the presence of Her Excellency Foreign Minister Wagner at this meeting.
Mr. President,
Just two days ago, this Council convened urgently to address the situation in Eastern DRC. We were briefed of a dramatic escalation. Of Goma “on a knife’s edge”. Of peacekeepers being killed and civilians fleeing.
Today, the situation has continued to deteriorate.
Let me be clear: Denmark strongly condemns the ongoing offensive by the M23 with support of the Rwanda Defense Forces and the military presence of Rwanda in DRC.
We demand that M23, supported by the RDF, immediately halt and reverse their territorial expansion and withdraw.
We demand that Rwanda ceases its support to the M23, and that the DRC ceases its support to FDLR.
Colleagues,
We have all seen the devastating images – shelling and heavy artillery in the city centre of Goma, civilians fleeing, overcrowded hospitals and ongoing looting.
Denmark is extremely concerned about the risk of urban conflict, as well as sexual violence following the influx of armed elements, and the Goma prison escape.
Likewise, we are deeply alarmed by the risk of attacks against human rights defenders, who now fear individual persecution, and ethnically-motivated attacks.
We also express deep concern with recent attacks on diplomatic missions in Kinshasa. This is unacceptable.
Mr. President, against this dangerous and rapidly developing backdrop, allow me to highlight four key points.
First,
Denmark demands an immediate cessation of hostilities, as well as unhindered, rapid and safe humanitarian access to all populations in and around Goma.
This includes open humanitarian corridors, open land borders and air space. This cannot be understated.
In line with International Humanitarian Law, medical and humanitarian personnel must be protected and their ability to provide life-saving care must be ensured.
Parties must engage with the UN and humanitarian actors for deconfliction purposes and allow trauma and specialised medical teams urgent access. Upholding IHL is not an option – it is an obligation.
Second,
Denmark firmly condemns any form of violence targeting civilians, and objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian populations.
We demand their immediate protection and the respect for human rights, regardless of ethnic group, gender or age.
Perpetrators of any attack against civilians must be held to account, no matter their rank or affiliation.
Third,
We express our full support to MONUSCO as it fulfils its critical mandate facing extremely difficult circumstances.
We extend our deep condolence to the families and love ones of those who lost their lives.
We remind the parties that any involvement in attacks against MONUSCO peacekeepers may constitute a war crime and a basis for sanctions designations pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Fourth, Mr. President,
As we underlined just two days ago, there is no military solution to this conflict – only a political one.
We urge DRC and Rwanda to immediately, and in good faith, fully reengage and fully recommit to diplomatic talks in the regional peace processes in place.
The Luanda and Nairobi processes are the means to solve this conflict.
Colleagues,
We are not here to merely request that the parties uphold their obligations under international law.
When these obligations are consistently violated, it is incumbent upon us to consider all appropriate tools at the Council’s disposal.
Mr. President, to conclude,
The people of the DRC deserve peace. The peoples of the Great Lakes region deserve peace.
As the UN body charged with the maintenance of international peace and security, this Council should act decisively in support of that goal.
Count on Denmark’s support.
Thank you.