The Group of Francophone Ambassadors has condemned the ongoing offensive by the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and called for an immediate ceasefire.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the diplomats expressed deep concern over the rapid escalation of violence in the region, which has worsened significantly since the beginning of the year. The statement came a day after the rebels seized control of Walikale, a mineral-rich town in North Kivu province.
Swiss Ambassador Chasper Sarott read a statement from the envoys:
We are concerned about the devastating humanitarian consequences of this offensive and the human rights violations committed against the population, in particular cases of sexual violence against women and the forced recruitment of child soldiers.
The diplomats had gathered in Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, to mark International Francophonie Day. In their statement, the ambassadors voiced their support for peace processes and dialogue aimed at resolving the conflicts in the DRC and the broader Great Lakes region.
We call for sincere talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda for its support to the M23 in order to reach a lasting and peaceful settlement of a conflict that has plunged the Congolese population into too much mourning and which carries with it serious risks of destabilising the entire Great Lakes region.
Meanwhile, the M23 rebel group confirmed on Thursday that it had captured Walikale, a strategically important town located in a mineral-rich area. The DRC and other international actors accused neighbouring Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels. Rwanda, however, has consistently denied the allegations.
Earlier this week, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame met in Doha, Qatar, where they called for an immediate ceasefire and an unconditional end to hostilities.
