Mr. Vice President,

The Council needs a comprehensive assessment of the drivers of human rights violations in the DRC. A conflict spanning more than 30 years cannot be reduced to selective allegations against Rwanda. This item should focus on the DRC’s capacity, institutional weaknesses, and protection challenges.

Resolution 60/35 identifies the FDLR, CODECO, Wazalendo and ADF as groups of concern, but the report before this Council omits the continued activities of the DRC-backed FDLR, and the DRC’s recruitment of foreign mercenaries.

The report acknowledges that FARDC is supported by Wazalendo, but omits the Government’s responsibility to protect civilians and ensure accountability.

Hate speech persists, with Tutsi communities among its primary targets. Protecting people from identity-based persecution is a human rights obligation, not preferential treatment.

Lastly, Major General Ekenge has been reinstated as spokesperson of the FARDC, despite his discriminatory remarks documented in this report. What message does this send about the DRC Government’s stated commitment to accountability and ending impunity during this Session?

Item 10 should assist the DRC in confronting its human rights challenges, not become a politicized item to externalize its responsibility towards its own citizens. 

I thank you, Mr. Vice President