US demands all armed groups in eastern DR Congo cease hostilities, withdraw from region

KAMPALA, Uganda

The US demanded Thursday that all armed groups causing insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo cease hostilities and unconditionally withdraw from the region.

UN radio in DR Congo reported that Washington has expressed concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the east and condemned the human rights violations committed by armed groups, particularly the M23, Daesh-DRC, CODECO and FDLR.

In a press release, the US State Department said the US welcomes the Feb. 17 communique of the 1140th meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) on the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

“We are encouraged that the PSC underscored the importance of implementing the outcomes of the February 17 EAC mini-summit communiqué, the Luanda and Nairobi processes and the November 23 Luanda Communiqué; supporting the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism and the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO); and addressing the issue of ex-combatants and the voluntary return of internally displaced persons and refugees,” the statement said.

It also called on Rwanda to stop supporting the M23 armed group and withdraw its soldiers from the DRC to facilitate the implementation of these commitments in accordance with the timetable approved at the EAC mini-summit.

The US said it will continue to support and advance African diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict in eastern DR Congo.