Explanation of vote by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK
Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, following the vote on
the UN Security Council resolution on Democratic Republic of the
Congo.
The United Kingdom is grateful for the efforts of France, as
penholder, and the engagement of all Council members to enable
the adoption today of this important resolution.
The United Kingdom welcomes and fully supports this text. We hope
it makes a positive contribution to the diplomatic leadership in
the region, especially the recent EAC-SADC summit, and helps
bring an end to the conflict.
UK ministers are engaging intensively to support a diplomatic end
to the conflict because there is no military solution.
President, the violations we have seen in recent weeks in eastern
DRC are wholly unacceptable. Today's resolution sends a clear
message that these violations must stop and the parties to return
to the African-led political processes.
It makes clear that there needs to be a ceasefire and the
withdrawal of M23 from Goma and Bukavu. We strongly urge M23 to
immediately cease hostilities. No Member States should impede
this.
It also makes clear that international humanitarian law must be
respected, as must MONUSCO's mandate.
And critically, it makes clear that DRC's sovereignty,
territorial integrity, as well as the UN Charter must be
respected. The UK supports this resolution's call for all Rwandan
Defence Forces to withdraw from Congolese territory.
We urge the parties to fully abide by this resolution. Otherwise
this Council will need to consider further action.
