Belgium deeply concerned by UN experts' conclusions about situation in eastern Congo

Belgium has expressed its deep concern over the conclusions of a report by UN experts on the situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In the report, commissioned by the UN Security Council, experts state that Rwandan military officers have "de facto" taken over "control and direction" over the operations of the M23, a rebel group active in the region marked by deadly conflict.

Between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwanda government forces are deployed in neighbouring eastern Congo, operating alongside the M23 rebel group which has been making major advances, according to the report. The experts said their “systematic support” for M23 in its territorial conquest is a sanctionable act and a violation of Congo’s sovereignty.

The Rwandan forces’ “de facto control and direction over M23 operations also renders Rwanda liable for the actions of M23,” stated the experts. They also refer to the use of missile launchers, training camps, children forcibly recruited and "systematic shelling of urban areas".

"Belgium is extremely concerned by the conclusion of the final report of the United Nations group of experts on the Democratic Republic of Congo, which highlights the seriousness of the violations and abuses of human rights and the violations of international humanitarian law committed in the east of the DRC, as well as the continuing deterioration of the security situation," declared Belgium's foreign affairs ministry in a press release.

Brussels urges Rwanda to immediately halt its military operations in eastern DRC and withdraw its troops and weapons. Brussels is also urging the rebel group M23 - backed by Kigali - to stop its acts of violence against the civilian population. It also calls on the DRC to effectively and decisively end any collaboration with armed groups. This applies in particular to the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR).

"Belgium calls on all parties to engage resolutely in the diplomatic processes initiated at regional level. A political solution must be found in order to achieve peace and security in eastern DRC. The root causes of insecurity and instability must be tackled in order to bolster prospects for stability and regional cooperation," stated the foreign affairs ministry.

_{FARDC (Armed Forces of the DRC) soldiers dig trenches at a frontline military position above the town of Kibirizi, controlled by the M23 rebellion, North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in May 2024 © BELGA PHOTO ALEXIS HUGUET / AFP}