West Papua stands solidarity justice for Congolese

Congolese Action Youth Platform (CAYP)


Our Statement on the Concerning Situation in the East of the Democratic Republic of  Congo

Dear members of the international community, gathered within the United Nations;  Ladies and Gentlemen, Representatives of international and regional institutions; Dear  citizens of the world, gathered within the Congolese, African, and other civil societies,

On this day of January 28, 2025, CAYP wishes to draw your attention to the alarming  situation prevailing in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo. As defenders of  the universal values of peace, justice, and human rights, our association calls for urgent  action in response to the recent attempts of occupation orchestrated by the M23 armed  groups, evidently supported by the Rwandan government. This has resulted in the  prolonged illegal occupation of part of the Congolese territory (Bunagana), as well as  recurrent attacks aimed at taking control of the city of Goma.

Indeed, the violence orchestrated by the M23, with logistical and military support from  Rwanda according to various United Nations and international organization reports, has  caused thousands of deaths, massive population displacements (over 1.5 million  internally displaced persons), and an increase in human rights violations in the eastern  provinces of the DRC.

Let us recall that the situation in the DRC was first classified as a threat to international  peace and security by the entire community of States in Resolution 1234, adopted in  1999 by the Security Council during the second Congo war. More than two decades  later, the Security Council reaffirmed its position in Resolutions 2556 of December 2020  and 2667 of December 2022.

Despite all the recommendations made in these various resolutions, it is clear that the  DRC remains plagued by recurrent cycles of persistent aggression from Rwanda,  through the M23.

Thus, CAYP calls on:

  • The international community in general, to remember its commitment to save future  generations from the scourge of war, to take its responsibilities, and to create the  necessary conditions for the maintenance of justice and obligations arising from  treaties and other sources of international law (Preamble of the United Nations  Charter). This will be reflected by:
  • A firm and unequivocal condemnation of the actions of the M23 and the direct  support from Rwanda.
  • The implementation of targeted sanctions against the leaders of the M23 and the  Rwandan officials involved in this support.
  • The European Union, which aims to be a global actor committed to the promotion,  protection, and defence of human rights both within its borders and internationally. It  must pursue an active and non-hypocritical policy aimed at weakening Rwanda’s  support for the M23. It can:
  • Exert diplomatic and economic pressure to curb the escalation of tensions and  demand an end to support for armed groups.
  • Withdraw development aid or any financial support to Rwanda (cf. Funding granted in  2022 and renewed in 2024 by the EU for the benefit of the Rwandan armed forces  deployed in Mozambique).
  • The African Union, to take actions to promote effective regional dialogue under  the aegis of neutral actors and to support mediation initiatives aimed at  establishing lasting peace between the countries of the Great Lakes region,  while ensuring transparency and fairness in the processes.
  • The Congolese Government, to assume all its responsibilities to ensure the  inviolability of its territorial integrity, to put in place the necessary means to fulfil its duty to protect civilian populations and their property, and to adopt all  measures to defend against ongoing and future aggressions.
  • The Congolese and international civil society, it is imperative that you do not  remain spectators in the face of this tragedy that compromises fundamental  human rights, such as the right to life and dignity. All civil societies, beyond  borders, must unite to denounce human rights violations, call for justice, and  support local humanitarian aid initiatives aimed at helping the civilian  population.
  • The Congolese people, CAYP salutes the resilience and courage of the civilian  population living in the East of the DRC in the face of hardships. It commits to  amplifying their voices in every possible space and to using all available means  to demand justice and reparation.

Our recommendations:

– 
To the international community (all United Nations Member States)
– To the Congolese State
– To civil society
– To the population

CAYP remains at your disposal for any exchange, collaboration, or initiative aimed at  ending this conflict and promoting peace in the DRC.

We thank you for your attention and hope for concrete actions from you as soon as  possible.

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Tinggalkan Balasan

Alamat email Anda tidak akan dipublikasikan. Ruas yang wajib ditandai *