The United States has urged the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to ensure that any cooperation between elements of its armed forces and the FDLR ends immediately, while demanding clear steps to implement the government’s latest plan to neutralise the armed group.
US Ambassador Jeffrey Bartos, the country’s Representative for UN Management and Reform, made the remarks during a United Nations Security Council briefing on the Great Lakes region on Tuesday, October 13.
Bartos stressed that efforts to neutralise the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) must continue, including ending any cooperation between the group and elements of the Congolese armed forces (FARDC).
“Any current cooperation between the FDLR and elements of the Congolese armed forces must cease immediately,” he said.
The ambassador welcomed the repatriation to Rwanda of more than 120 former FDLR fighters and family members, supported by the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), describing it as tangible progress.
He also acknowledged the Congolese government’s recently announced plan to further demobilise FDLR fighters, saying it could help advance efforts to address the armed group.
However, Washington wants Kinshasa to explain how the plan will be carried out and begin implementing it without delay.
“We urge the DRC to clarify the operational details of its proposed plan and begin implementation promptly,” Bartos said.
He emphasised that cooperation with MONUSCO and regional and international partners would be necessary to ensure the plan delivers concrete results.
Turning to broader peace efforts, Bartos described the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity as an important opportunity to improve security, stability and development in eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes region.
He urged both Rwanda and the DRC to fulfil their commitments under the agreements without delay.
The United States also called on parties involved in the conflict to respect the ceasefire, halt harmful drone strikes and avoid inflammatory statements that could further escalate tensions.
US Urges DRC and AFC/M23 to Finalise Doha Agreements
Washington also called on the Congolese government and AFC/M23, through its newly rebranded alliance, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), to build on progress made during talks in Switzerland and conclude the remaining agreements under the Doha peace process.
Bartos welcomed Qatar’s continued role in facilitating negotiations between the two sides, aimed at ending the conflict in eastern DRC.
He also acknowledged mediation efforts led by the African Union under Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, as well as contributions from the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
The ambassador stressed the need for closer coordination between the Washington and Doha peace processes and regional mediation efforts to ensure that commitments made during negotiations are implemented.
He further welcomed the first monitoring missions conducted by the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus in Minembwe and Masisi.
According to Bartos, independent verification could help the Congolese government and AFC/M23 investigate alleged ceasefire violations and resolve disputes based on evidence.
He praised MONUSCO for its support of the missions and urged the parties to facilitate further monitoring activities as efforts continue to restore peace and stability in eastern DRC.
RADIOTV10