27.03.2025 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC briefing on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Checked Against Delivery

I will start also, like others, to thank SRSG Keita and Secretary-General Slente, for their insightful but also concerning briefings.

More than five weeks have passed since this Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2773, calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the DRC under Chapter VII of this Charter.

Yet today, civilians in the DRC continue to live in fear of killings, sexual and gender-based violence, and displacement.

Allow me to make four key points.

First,

A political solution must be found and supported by all stakeholders. Such a solution is the only viable path to end the widespread human suffering in the DRC.

This Council must continue to put its full weight and support behind the African leadership in the region to resolve this crisis. We must also insist on the implementation of our own Resolutions, especially 2773.

We note President Lourenços decision to step down as mediator in the conflict in the eastern DRC, and we commend him for his unrelenting efforts.

We welcome the messages from the meeting on 18 March between President Tshisekedi and President Kagame held in Doha.

At the same time, we encourage close coordination of all mediation efforts with the ongoing regional processes, and underline the importance of the participation of women.

Second,

All parties must respect international humanitarian law. Civilians must never be a target, and must be protected, including from sexual and gender-based violence.

This is a responsibility of all parties.

We condemn instances of looting, attacks on aid workers and blocked supply routes, as also described in the statement of the Secretary-General of Danish Refugee Council.

Such obstructions place civilians at even greater risk of violence, malnutrition and disease.

As the SRSG has stressed, we urge the immediate reopening of the Goma and Kavumu airports, as well as the safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need.

Civilians must be able to return safely to their homes, and granted safety in IDP camps in M23-controlled areas.

We commend local actors, especially women-led organizations, who continue to provide essential services and support at grave risks to their own safety.

Third,

We deplore the continued threats and reprisals against human rights defenders, journalists, civil society and judicial authorities.

An environment of vigilante justice and a breakdown of law and order has continued to spread in the east, with reports of widespread instances of extrajudicial killings, hate speech and other human rights violations and abuses.

This must end – now.

All parties must immediately uphold their obligations under international human rights law, protect civic space, and commit to prevent and combat the spread of mis- and disinformation.

We reiterate our call for accountability for all those responsible for grave violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law.

We support the work of the DRC authorities to provide justice to the victims and note the recent visit of the ICC prosecutor to the DRC to meet with the authorities and local stakeholders.

Persistent impunity is a driver of new atrocity crimes. We must do all we can to break this cycle.

Fourth,

Let me reiterate Denmark’s full support for MONUSCO as the mission continues to deliver on its mandate in an extremely complex situation.

We demand the immediate restoration of the mission’s freedom of movement and its full ability to re-supply and rotate staff in the M23-controlled areas.

Colleagues,

As each day passes, the political crisis and its security and humanitarian consequences deepen.

We call on Rwanda to end its support to the M23 and withdraw its troops from the DRC. Moreover, the DRC needs to sever its ties with the FDLR and any other armed group.

The Congolese people deserve peace. Every step taken must be to this end.