Final Report of the UN Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The United States shares the concerns expressed in the final report of the UN Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and supports its continued investigation into perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses in the DRC.  This conflict has left millions exposed to human rights violations and violence, including displacement, deprivation, extrajudicial killings, and conflict-related sexual violence.  We urge all armed groups to cease hostilities and lay down their weapons.

We call on Rwanda to end its support for M23 immediately and withdraw RDF troops and advanced weaponry from the DRC.  We call on the DRC to immediately cease collaboration of Congolese armed forces (FARDC) elements with FDLR, in violation of the orders of military leadership.  We also note the report’s evidence of attacks against the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO and reiterate that such actions are unacceptable.

The United States continues to support regional diplomatic efforts that promote de-escalation and create the conditions for lasting peace in the DRC and urge all parties to the conflict to adhere to the humanitarian truce.  We call on Rwanda and the DRC to implement their commitments under the Luanda process, and call on all parties to respect human rights, adhere to applicable obligations under international humanitarian law, and hold accountable all actors for human rights violations and abuses in the conflict in eastern DRC.