LONDON
The G7 on Sunday condemned the ongoing M23 offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a statement, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and US, as well as the EU foreign policy chief, urged the “M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) to cease their offensive in all directions” and called for the “urgent protection of civilians.”
The group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, launched a major offensive last week and later claimed to capture the city of Goma. Rwanda denies supporting the group.
The G7 foreign ministers also called for an end to “all direct and indirect support” to the M23 and all non-state armed groups in Congo.
“This offensive constitutes a flagrant disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC. We also condemn M23’s intention to continue expansion into South Kivu,” the statement said.
‘G7 urges M23 to withdraw from all controlled areas’
The statement said the latest M23 offensive has led to a dramatic increase in displaced civilians in Goma and across eastern DRC, on top of the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people since the start of the advance in January.
“We deplore the devastating consequences of the renewed M23 and RDF offensive, worsening already difficult humanitarian conditions,” the ministers said.
They called for a “rapid, safe and unimpeded” passage of humanitarian relief for civilians and reiterate that humanitarian personnel must be provided assurances of safety.
The foreign ministers called on all parties to return to the negotiating table and “honour their commitments under the Luanda Process,” and urged the M23 to withdraw from all controlled areas.
The statement reiterated G7’s full support to the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) to protect civilians and stabilize the region and call on all parties to respect its mandate.
The M23 rebels are engaged in a long-standing conflict with Congolese forces, said to be seeking the region’s natural resources.
The group says it is defending the interests of minority Congolese Tutsis, who say are discriminated against for their ethnic ties to Rwanda’s Tutsi community.
The offensive has also heightened humanitarian crisis in the region, causing food and water shortages and displacement, according to the UN and officials.
