Statement delivered by the President of the United Nations Security Council, on behalf of the members of the Security Council on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Following closed consultations of the Security Council on 12 February 2024, on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), UN Security Council President for the month of February, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana, read a statement on behalf of Council members.

Full statement:

"Members of the Security Council met this afternoon and received a briefing in closed consultations from Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Under-Secretary-General Catherine Pollard and expressed total support for their efforts.

Council members condemned the M23’s offensive, near Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), launched on 7th February. They reiterated their condemnation of all armed groups operating in the country. They expressed concern about the escalation of violence and the sustained tension in the region. They reiterated their full support to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the DRC.

Council members called on all actors to end violence and respect international humanitarian law. They called on all parties to resume diplomatic dialogue and expressed support to all efforts aimed at reaching a cessation of hostilities, in particular regional efforts.

They reiterated their support to MONUSCO, condemned the violence that targeted United Nations personnel as well as diplomatic personnel and premises in Kinshasa on 10th February and called for impartial investigations."