#TRANSCRIBED The U.S. warned that it is going to use “tools at its disposal” to hold Rwanda accountable, a "spoilers to peace”, referring to both Rwanda and M23. READ THE FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE UNITED STATES' DURING TODAY'S UN SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING The United States is profoundly concerned and... deeply disappointed by the renewed outbreak of violence in Eastern DRC. Today, I want to share additional information on the scale and sophistication of Rwanda’s involvement in the region. Since its re-emergence in 2021, Rwanda has maintained strategic control over its proxy armed group, M23, as well as M23’s political wing, the Congo River Alliance, also known as the AFC. Rwanda has deployed M23 and the AFC to further its geopolitical ambitions in Eastern DRC. Kigali has been directly involved in planning and executing the war, providing both military and political direction to M23 and the AFC. For years, the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) have supplied material, logistical, and training support to M23, and have fought alongside them in the DRC with approximately 5,000 to 7,000 troops as of early December — not accounting for any additional deployments during the recent escalation. In recent months, Rwanda has deployed multiple surface-to-air missile systems and other heavy, sophisticated weaponry into North and South Kivu to support M23 in its ongoing conflict with the DRC. Just this past weekend, M23 and Rwandan forces launched an offensive to seize Uvira, with RDF forces co-located on the frontlines with M23 fighters. We also have credible reports of increased use of suicide drones and artillery by both M23 and Rwanda, including artillery strikes into Burundi. Rather than a march toward peace — as seen in recent weeks under the leadership of President Trump through the Washington Accords — Rwanda is instead dragging the region back into greater instability and war. In light of the commitments made in Washington, we are deeply concerned about the continued presence of Rwandan military forces on Congolese soil in support of M23. The United States will use every tool at our disposal to hold accountable the spoilers of peace. We call on Rwanda to uphold its commitments and to fully recognize the Democratic Republic of Congo’s sovereign right to defend its territory, including the right to invite Burundian forces onto its land in response to aggression. We are engaging with all parties to urge restraint and to prevent further escalation — including calling for an end to hostile and ethnically charged anti-Tutsi rhetoric. As this Council continues to negotiate the renewal of the MONUSCO mandate, the United States will seek to ensure that the mission is empowered to support both the Doha and Washington agreements. While the parties themselves bear full responsibility for implementing these agreements, MONUSCO must have the freedom and capability to operate — including unimpeded mobility and logistical support. It is a sad hypocrisy that UN peacekeepers are under siege from forces backed by a UN member state — a state which also contributes troops to peacekeeping missions. The months-long M23 blockade on MONUSCO has severely impaired its ability to operate in and around Goma, as many have highlighted today. Furthermore, Rwanda continues to deploy surface-to-air missiles and conducts spoofing and jamming operations, effectively grounding MONUSCO’s air assets. Under such conditions, how can MONUSCO succeed? We demand the immediate cessation of these obstructions, which violate Rwanda’s and M23’s obligations under the Doha and Washington Agreements. The United States remains firm in its support for MONUSCO and its critical role in realizing these historic agreements, which we believe hold the potential to finally end decades of suffering in Eastern DRC.show more

Xtrafrica

38,721 subscribers

Поделиться Скачать