Thank you, Madam President.
I would also like to begin by thanking the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for her presentation, but also for the great commitment she has shown us over the past two years. I also welcome the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the DRC and the representatives of Rwanda and Angola at this meeting. I would also like to thank Ms Passy Mubalama for the sense of reality she portrayed for us with regard to the population in the east of the country, especially the female population.
Let me begin by echoing the inspiring words of human rights defender Sarah Ntambwe to this Council during our Presidency in October: “The peace process is a door of hope for those of us who dream of living in a world where the music of bombs and cries is no longer heard.” These words are a powerful call to action, echoing what we had already perceived during the Security Council visit to the DRC. In order to give concrete expression to this hope, Switzerland has been fully committed for the past two years to promoting a peaceful solution to the conflict, strengthening the protection of civilians and defending respect for international law. In this context, I would like to highlight three points:
Firstly, Switzerland will continue - beyond its mandate in the Council - to support regional efforts to find political solutions to the conflict and to strengthen the participation of women. We welcome the progress made in the Luanda process and the announcement of a tripartite summit to be held on 15 December. Including the vision of local actors remains a critical factor in bringing conflicts to an end. The recent signing of the concept of operations between the DRC and Rwanda is an important step. However, concrete measures to build confidence must follow without delay. We reiterate the need for Rwanda to immediately withdraw its troops from the DRC and cease all support to the M23. At the same time, the DRC must intensify its efforts to neutralise the FDLR and cease all cooperation with this group.
Secondly, the alarming security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC must end as soon as possible. We have heard it, in the already overcrowded camps for displaced persons in the east of the DRC, people are suffering from increased insecurity, sexual and gender-based violence, and intolerable living conditions. Despite the ceasefire announced on 4 August, clashes persist, exacerbating the suffering of civilians. Switzerland is particularly concerned about the continued territorial expansion of the M23 in North Kivu, marked by the establishment of a parallel administrative structure. We condemn the indiscriminate attacks by armed groups such as the ADF, CODECO and Zaire. It is essential that the focus on the M23 does not overshadow the victims of the violence in Ituri and elsewhere, and that accountability is ensured.
Thirdly, despite the difficult context, we will continue to support MONUSCO so that it can play a central role in protecting civilians. The Mission can only fully fulfil its mandate if the regular attacks and obstructions against it, including the reported jamming of communications in North Kivu and disinformation campaigns, cease. Moreover, we call on all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and to ensure the safety of UN and humanitarian personnel.
Finally, Switzerland fully supports the renewal of MONUSCO's mandate, with the protection of civilians remaining a priority. Following the mission's departure from South Kivu, it is essential to draw concrete lessons in order to avoid a security vacuum that could further weaken the region. With this in mind, Switzerland will continue to promote an inclusive dialogue between the DRC, MONUSCO and civil society in order to align the disengagement process with the needs of the local population.
Madam President,
The Congolese people must be able to live in peace, dignity and security, and their aspirations must remain at the forefront of this Council's priorities. Switzerland calls on the members of the Security Council and the States of the region to remain united in the quest for a just and lasting peace in the DRC. Switzerland and its international cooperation have been active in the Great Lakes region for over 60 years. We are determined to continue our efforts alongside the Congolese authorities and people, both in Kinshasa and in the east of the country, to support the peace process and contribute to sustainable development.
Thank you.