Speakers in the Security Council today urged greater coordination among diplomatic initiatives addressing the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, stressing that progress at the negotiating table must yield tangible improvements on the ground as civilians face displacement, food insecurity and an Ebola outbreak.
At stake is the State’s ability to restore its authority over territory contested by the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) and other armed groups while averting a wider regional confrontation. Parallel mediation efforts include the Washington peace agreement, signed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda on 27 June 2025, and the Qatar-facilitated Doha process between the Congolese Government and AFC/M23.
Worsening Security and Humanitarian Situation, Says Special Envoy
“Despite sustained diplomatic effort, the security and humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has continued to worsen,” said Huang Xia, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region, presenting his biannual report on the implementation of the 2013 Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region (to be issued as document S/2026/782 ).
While citing “encouraging” diplomatic progress in implementing the Doha and Washington agreements, including the signing of a protocol and road map by Congolese authorities and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), he said a genuine ceasefire remains difficult to achieve despite the Council’s unanimous calls, including in resolution 2773 (2025).
Hostilities persist in several areas, with armed drones aggravating civilian suffering, he said, also warning of the unchecked spread of Ebola and a climate of regional distrust, reflected in tensions between Kigali and Kinshasa and between Kinshasa and Burundi.
Amid these “interrelated challenges”, he outlined his Office’s efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation and called for a stronger African Union role in ensuring that increasingly aligned mediation efforts support implementation of agreed commitments.
He also called for more inclusive peace efforts and action to address the economic and structural drivers of conflict. In that context, he described the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region’s Regional Certification Mechanism as the region’s “flagship tool” for combating the illegal exploitation of natural resources by improving transparency, traceability and accountability across mineral value chains.
Speakers Welcome ‘Diplomatic Momentum’
Hailing the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity as “a historic opportunity”, the representative of the United States called on Kinshasa and Kigali to fulfil their obligations without delay. He urged the parties to uphold the ceasefire, halt drone strikes and refrain from inflammatory rhetoric. Recent ceasefire-verification missions in Minembwe and Masisi demonstrate how impartial monitoring can help the Democratic Republic of the Congo and AFC/M23 investigate alleged violations and resolve disputes. Progress towards neutralizing the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) must also continue, he said, stressing that “any current cooperation between the FDLR and elements of the Congolese armed forces must cease immediately”.
Bahrain’s representative also welcomed diplomatic momentum under the Washington and Doha processes and African Union-led mediation, as well as the first ceasefire-verification missions in Minembwe and Masisi. Warning of “a troubling gap” between diplomatic progress and realities on the ground, he pointed to continued attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). He urged stronger regional and international cooperation to combat terrorism and its financing, as well as action against the illicit exploitation of natural resources.
The illicit exploitation of natural resources continues to finance armed groups, warned France’s delegate, stressing the urgency of ending hostilities and working to “bridge the gap between commitments made by the parties and the reality of the situation on the ground”. Recalling sanctions imposed in July, he urged the Council to maintain pressure on the parties and “stand ready to adopt measures against actors hindering peace”.
Tackling Root Causes of Instability
“The people of the Great Lakes need tangible progress, not renewed violence and displacement,” said the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also speaking on behalf of Liberia and Somalia. While welcoming all diplomatic efforts to address the crisis, he called for sufficient resources for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to support the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus. To address the root causes of instability, he urged stronger regional cooperation to establish responsible mineral supply chains and ensure that communities are not deprived of their wealth.
Speaking in his national capacity, he called for comprehensive implementation and accountability mechanisms to be prioritized over mere “statements of intent”, stressing that the withdrawal of foreign forces is “non-negotiable”. He also called for “reciprocal commitments and distinct obligations”, underscoring the need for Rwanda to fulfil its responsibilities and commitments. Proven violations, he added, should result in appropriate sanctions, while transparency must be ensured throughout mineral supply chains. “The Great Lakes Region does not need promises,” he said. “It needs promises to be made good on.”
“The security of one State cannot be sustainably ensured at the expense of that of its neighbours; regional security is founded on collective security,” Burundi’s delegate underscored, calling for dialogue and diplomacy to build trust among regional States. His country is particularly concerned about the presence and activities of armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, notably RED-Tabara in South Kivu, he said. He called for greater regional cooperation and information-sharing to strengthen border security, spotlighting an agreement reached with Kinshasa in June on bilateral military cooperation.
