Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy
Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council
meeting on MONUSCO.
The United Kingdom welcomes the Government of DRC and MONUSCO's
continued collaboration in tackling conflict in eastern DRC. We
are working closely with Council colleagues to agree a mandate
that sufficiently addresses the need for protection of civilians,
facilitation of humanitarian activity and support for wider
peacebuilding activities.
The UK is seriously concerned by reports of GPS spoofing and
jamming and the presence of surface to air missiles in North
Kivu, alongside the restriction of MONUSCO's movements by M23,
preventing troop rotations and the delivery of critical supplies.
We call on all parties to the conflict to cease all obstruction
of MONUSCO. This prevents the full implementation of the mandate
agreed by this Council.
President, over a quarter of a million people have been displaced
since August as a result of M23 illegally expanding its territory
in eastern DRC. We reiterate calls for the full respect of DRC's
territorial integrity, and condemn, once again, the actions of
all armed groups.
The humanitarian situation remains dire, with over 7 million
displaced and unacceptable numbers of civilians affected by
disease, food insecurity, sexual violence and a lack of basic
services. A lack of access to vulnerable populations has
compounded the challenges faced by humanitarian actors.
We call on all parties to the conflict to respect international
law, prioritise civilian welfare and permit access for
humanitarian actors.
Finally, the United Kingdom is deeply appreciative of Angola's
continued mediation efforts and President Lourenço's personal
commitment to the Launda Process. We are heartened by the recent
progress and agreement by the Foreign Ministers of DRC and Rwanda
on a Concept of Operations.
We call on all sides to show leadership, engage in good faith,
and deliver on their commitments.
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