Thank you, Mr. President.
I would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Bintou Keita, for her presentation and for MONUSCO's continued efforts. I welcome the presence of the representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Angola at this meeting, as well as Madame Thérèse Nzale-Kove.
As Ms Nzale-Kove just reiterated, the Congolese people want peace. Fulfilling this aspiration means stepping up efforts to promote peace, both in the DRC and in the region as a whole. Peace cannot be achieved without mutual trust. As regional initiatives move forward, it is essential that all parties fully honour their commitments and invest decisively in the search for peaceful solutions.
I would like to make three key points in this regard:
Firstly, it is imperative that the parties redouble their efforts to ease tensions and work towards lasting peace. Switzerland fully supports the Luanda process led by President Lourenço, which led to the signing of the ceasefire agreement signed by the Rwanda and the DRC on 30 July. This agreement is an encouraging step towards de-escalation, and we call on all the parties involved to adhere fully to it and to support the work of the ad hoc verification mechanism in monitoring the ceasefire.
For tensions to be reduced in the long term, the commitments made at the second ministerial meeting held in Luanda must be fully implemented. Rwanda must withdraw its forces from the DRC by developing a disengagement plan, and the DRC must operationalise the plan to neutralise the FDLR. Rwanda must also cease all support for the M23.
Secondly, the attacks by armed actors against civilians must cease immediately. Far from withdrawing, the M23 is continuing its territorial expansion and, like other parties to the conflict, continues to violate international law with impunity, with intolerable consequences for the civilian population. Women and girls are the main victims. Those who have already been displaced often face a cruel choice between sexual violence and losing access to food and other basic necessities. Switzerland reminds all parties of their obligation to respect international humanitarian law and to protect civilians and civilian objects. We insist that all those responsible for violations of international law be brought to justice, whether they are members of armed groups or state forces. Peace is not only the absence of war. It is also about breaking the cycle of violence and fighting impunity.
Finally, it is essential to strengthen the rule of law throughout the country. The attempted escape from Makala prison and the ensuing violence highlight the urgent need to strengthen respect for and protection of human rights in the country. We also remain concerned about the restrictions in the civic space. Repeated attacks on the rights of human rights defenders and members of civil society must be addressed. We are also concerned about inter-communal violence and the spread of hate speech, in particular against the Rwandophone population.
It is essential that the Security Council speak with one voice and contribute to the success of the political initiatives that are essential for stability and lasting peace in the region. This requires close coordination between all actors, complementary actions and, above all, a shared desire by all parties to build a climate of confidence. In this spirit, Switzerland reiterates its unwavering support for the Congolese people and all those working for peace.
Thank you.