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Remarks by Ambassador Dai Bing at the UN Security Council Briefing on the Democratic Republic of Congo

2022-05-31 17:50

Madam President, 


I thank Assistant Secretary-General Pobee and Special Envoy Xia Huang for their briefings. I also welcome His Excellency Lutundula, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DRC, and the Permanent Representatives of Rwanda and Uganda to the meeting. 


The deteriorating security situation in the eastern DRC is deeply troubling. Armed groups continue to attack civilians, causing massive casualties and displacement. Since last March, M23 has resumed its military activities, and exchanged fire with the FARDC several times. MONUSCO has also been under attack, leading to the tragic deaths of many peacekeepers. China expresses its concern over the fierce clash in North Kivu last week. We support the swift issuance of a press statement by the Security Council, condemning the attacks and urging all armed groups to lay down their weapons immediately and unconditionally and participate in the political process initiated by regional countries in Nairobi. At the same time, we have also taken note of the statement by Rwanda on May 23, which contains the decision to refer the relevant matter to the joint verification mechanism of the ICGLR. We welcome the communication between the Governments of the DRC and Rwanda on the latest developments. China supports the AU and other regional organizations in promoting dialogue among regional countries to ease tensions. 


Given the close linkage of the security situations in the Great Lakes region, maintaining dialogue and cooperation among regional countries is an effective way to address common security concerns and challenges, and reduce cross-border security incidents. China commends regional countries for reaffirming their commitment to the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the Great Lakes Region, and welcomes the launch of the two-track political and security process by the DRC, Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda at the Regional Heads of State Conclave held in Nairobi at the end of April. We note that under the facilitation of Kenya, the DRC has held two rounds of dialogue with armed groups. We look forward to the briefings by His Excellency Lutundula and the African members of the Council on the progress, and their expectations of the Security Council and the UN. We call on the international community to support the efforts by regional countries in resolving African issues in African ways and encourage MUNOSCO and the Special Envoy to strengthen communication with regional countries. 


There is no simple military solution to eliminating the root causes of conflict in the DRC and the region. An integrated approach must be taken. The Government of the DRC should improve its governance capacity, advance reform in key sectors, implement disarmament and demobilization programs, and deliver the dividends of social and economic development to the ordinary people. Only by doing so, can the Government achieve effective control over the eastern region. To resolve the problem of illegal exploitation and trade of natural resources, combating means alone is not enough. The key is to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results through regional cooperation and make common development the ballast for regional peace and stability. The international community should help the DRC and regional countries address humanitarian challenges and advance peace, development and humanitarian work in an integrated manner. China appreciates the support of the Special Envoy to the regional countries in resolving regional issues through non-military means, and we encourage the Office of the Special Envoy to work closely with regional countries to implement the new UN strategy and action plans for the Great Lakes region. China stands ready to continue its active role in supporting the DRC’s efforts to achieve its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security. 


Thank you, Madam President.


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