Democratic Republic of the Congo/Great Lakes Region – France condemns the violent acts committed by the M23 in Kishishe and Bambo in the strongest possible terms (8 december 2022)

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We are horrified by the information gathered by MONUSCO during a preliminary investigation into the violent acts committed on November 29 and 30 by M23 rebels against civilians, including women and children, in the villages of Kishishe and Bambo, in eastern DRC. Those acts must not go unpunished. We commend the Congolese authorities’ determination to bring their perpetrators to justice.

France condemns these atrocities in the strongest possible terms along with the M23’s failure to respect the ceasefire agreed to in Luanda on November 23 in the presence of Congolese, Rwandan, Angolan and Burundian leaders and the East African Community (EAC) Facilitator. We take note of the statement issued on December 6 in which the armed group said it was ready to withdraw from the territory it occupies. We call on them to do so immediately and unconditionally.

We also call on all armed groups to stop fighting immediately and to begin the disarmament process without delay. All foreign support for the M23 must stop, as required by the UN Security Council.

France reiterates its support for regional diplomatic initiatives within the framework of the Nairobi Process and the Luanda roadmap aimed at ending the fighting and violence in eastern DRC.