New York, USA — China has called for an immediate cessation of armed violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) amid escalating conflicts that have resulted in significant civilian casualties and displacement.
Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, delivered a statement on Monday at a Security Council briefing on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). He emphasized the urgent need to address the ongoing violence perpetrated by armed groups in the country.
“In the past three months alone, over 500 civilians were killed by armed groups, and 7.3 million people were forcibly displaced,” Geng noted. “China urges all armed groups in the DRC to lay down their weapons and withdraw from occupied areas immediately.”
Geng welcomed the recent inauguration of the new government in the DRC, expressing hope for unity among all parties to accelerate nation-building and achieve peace and stability. “China looks forward to all parties in the country uniting as one and accelerating nation-building with the government’s National Action Plan as the blueprint,” he stated.
Condemning a recent attack on a Chinese company in the DRC on July 3, which resulted in the deaths and disappearances of Chinese citizens, Geng called for justice. “China strongly condemns such an act, and we urge that the perpetrators be immediately arrested and held accountable by law,” he said.
He commended the DRC government for its efforts in concluding ceasefire agreements with multiple armed groups and engaging in bilateral security cooperation with neighboring countries Uganda and Burundi. He also highlighted the completion of a pilot disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) project in North Kivu, describing the progress as deserving “full recognition.”
Geng called on the international community to assist constructively in the DRC’s efforts to maintain security and stability and improve the humanitarian situation. “Respecting the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the DRC is paramount,” he emphasized. “We should promote an early settlement of the issue in the eastern DRC.”
Addressing regional tensions, Geng noted the growing divergence and discord among regional countries concerning the eastern DRC, echoing the UN secretary-general’s concern over the risk of the conflict becoming regionalized. “China calls on the countries concerned to remain calm and exercise restraint, settling differences through dialogue rather than military means,” he urged.
He praised Angola for facilitating a meeting between the foreign ministers of the DRC and Rwanda in March and encouraged regional countries and organizations to play a greater role in advancing the Luanda and Nairobi processes aimed at peace and stability in the region.
Geng expressed hope that Bintou Keita, the UN secretary-general’s special representative for the DRC, would maintain coordination with Xia Huang, the UN secretary-general’s special envoy for the Great Lakes region, to continue efforts toward peace talks.
Regarding the drawdown of MONUSCO, Geng noted the successful withdrawal from South Kivu last month and urged the UN system to assist in peacebuilding and consolidation efforts in the area. “MONUSCO should stay engaged with the DRC government to ensure a safe and orderly drawdown process,” he said.
He also called for effective measures to ensure the safety of peacekeepers following recent attacks against MONUSCO personnel. “There must be a greater sense of urgency and more effective measures by the relevant actors to ensure the safety of peacekeepers,” Geng stated.
Recognizing the engagement of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in peacekeeping activities in the eastern DRC, Geng supported reasonable adjustments to MONUSCO’s mandate to ensure coordination and complementarity with regional forces. “China is ready to participate constructively in the Security Council’s deliberations on supporting regional forces,” he concluded.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
