[ecr] 

 

"Our consultations with the governments of DR Congo and Rwanda and our discussions with the UN secretariat have reinforced our conviction that the solution to the conflict ion (in DRC) should be political and not military," said Sierra Leone's UN representative, Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu, who spoke on behalf of the A3+, at a UN Security Council meeting chaired by Algeria.

"Let's be clear, when we call for a political solution, we also point out that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of DR Congo must be respected by all state and non-state actors," said the ambassador, who stressed the need to implement the peace processes of Nairobi and Luanda relating to the situation in DRC.

The A3+ "strongly condemns the attackers carried out (recently by the movement M23) against the Blue Helmets and military personnel of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC)," while congratulating the UN Mission for the Stabilisation of the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), which "maintain its defence posture to protect civilians and fulfil its mandate."

"We call for constant coordination between MONUSCO and the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and the SAMIDRC in accordance with the mandate in force and Security Council resolutions," the ambassador said.

In addition, "the protection of millions of Congolese civilians is a key priority for the A3+. We urge the MONUSCO to continue to protect the population and major civil infrastructures in Goma."

The A3+ calls on the M23 rebels to cease hostilities, inviting the government of the DR Congo "to work in good faith with the parties concerned" to put an end to the conflict.

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