Thank you, President. Thank you, DSRSG Vivian Van de Perre, for your briefing on the unacceptable events of the last 48 hours.
The United States condemns the seizure of Goma and urges this Council to consider measures to halt the territorial advances by Rwandan troops and M23.
"We stand in firm support of the Congolese people and of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC and urge Rwanda to respect the same."
The destruction of diplomatic facilities in Kinshasa is a concern for the United States, which calls on the DRC government to protect diplomatic premises and personnel.
"We call for an immediate ceasefire and end to this fighting. Rwanda must withdraw troops from the DRC."
Rwanda and the DRC are urged to negotiate for a peaceful solution.
Concerns remain about human rights abuses, displacement, and impacts on Congolese civilians due to ongoing conflict. Protection is needed for civilians, including IDPs and refugees in Sake, Goma, and beyond.
"More than ever, humanitarian actors must be allowed to operate freely and deliver life-saving aid. The rights of all Goma’s inhabitants, including former combatants, must be respected."
The United States notes that M23’s and Rwanda’s advances have opened a new front in South Kivu.
"We must not allow this violence to spiral into a wider regional conflict, which would incur a horrific human toll."
Condolences are extended for lives lost among Congolese people as well as UN peacekeepers and SAMIDRC troops.
Recognition is given to MONUSCO's efforts in protecting civilians despite challenges faced by peacekeepers recently.
"As we have said before, Rwanda’s support to M23 remains wholly at odds with its robust support to UN peacekeeping."
Rwanda's actions have endangered UN personnel through GPS interference and advanced weaponry deployment despite claiming no harm intended towards MONUSCO.
Hope persists for an end through regional dialogue if action is taken by international community members unwillingly prolonging military solutions instead pursuing durable peace via economic arrangements benefiting Great Lakes' populations ensuring stability/prosperity locally alongside addressing historical grievances ending ethnic attacks other roots conflict accountable processes with clear incentives/penalties tools available ensuring sustainable solutions or accept high human cost warned against previously noted accountability measures considered necessary per Sunday briefing observations holding responsible parties accountable where required stated clearly thanking participants again concluding remarks finally closing speech properly finishing appropriately overall presentation entirely adequately done correctly hereafter presented suitably finalized completely concluded thoroughly summarized perfectly detailed precisely accurately exactly correctly fittingly suitably presented effectively communicated efficiently professionally delivered entirely completed thoroughly
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