DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
EXPLANATION OF VOTE BY MR. NICOLAS DE RIVIERE
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF FRANCE TO THE UNITED NATIONS
TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL
(TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH)
New York, February 21, 2025
Mr. President,
France thanks the members of this Council for their commitment to the negotiation of this resolution over the past two weeks.
This resolution sends a clear message: there is no military solution to the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The offensive by the M23, supported by Rwanda, must cease. The priority is to conclude an effective, unconditional and immediate ceasefire agreement. A return to dialogue is urgent, with the support of regional mediations. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be respected. Rwandan forces must withdraw from Congolese territory without delay, as already stated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the members of this Council. MONUSCO must be able to implement its mandate, for the good of the civilian population, without being obstructed in its actions or its freedom of movement. Finally, this resolution recalls the key role of the Luanda and Nairobi processes in finding a lasting political solution, which requires the complete withdrawal of Rwandan forces and the dismantling of the FDLR.
With nearly a million displaced persons, thousands of deaths and terrible atrocities, the civilian population is paying a heavy price for the escalation of this conflict, which has lasted far too long. The M23 continues to advance in South Kivu, at the risk of triggering a regional war. It was high time for the Council to speak out clearly in favor of a cessation of hostilities and the conditions necessary for de-escalation, in complementarity with regional initiatives, that France supports. Several countries from the region spoke out on Wednesday to join this call.
To conclude, I am pleased that the Security Council has taken up its responsibility.
Thank you.