Mr. President,

During yesterday’s general debate, Rwanda called for a review of the criteria for designating Member States as “countries concerned” under Agenda Item 10. We also noted that the designation has been applied inconsistently for Rwanda: the Secretariat acknowledged Rwanda’s decision not to speak in that capacity, yet later relied on the designation to deny Rwanda the right of reply.

This practice remains unclear and unpredictable. A State should not be designated a “country concerned” merely because a resolution concerning another State contains allegations against it, made unilaterally by the penholder. Agenda Item 10 should focus on technical assistance and capacity-building requested by, and responsive to the needs of, the country concerned, in this case, the DRC.

The resolution before this Council advanced unilaterally by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with no endorsement of the Africa Group, once again places selectivity and politicisation at the heart of Agenda Item 10, contrary to the purpose for which Agenda Item 10 was established.

Rwanda’s inclusion in this technical-assistance resolution raises serious concerns about whether singling out Rwanda is consistent with impartial, needs-based cooperation. 

We raised this concern during informal consultations, but the DRC maintained its position, suggesting that the resolution prioritised a political agenda over genuine technical cooperation. Such an approach is unbecoming of a Council member and undermines the constructive engagement that should guide the Council’s work.

More broadly, when legitimate concerns about a resolution’s process and substance remain unaddressed, this risks undermining the Council’s credibility and diminishing the meaning of consensus.

Sustainable peace in the DRC cannot be achieved through politicised resolutions or selective ‘name-and-shame’ tactics. It must be built through honest engagement, accountability, and cooperation. We encourage the DRC to pursue this path with the Council’s support and to address its challenges directly, rather than politicising the work of the Council.

Rwanda will continue to attach great importance to technical cooperation under Agenda Item 10 and, despite the agenda’s growing politicisation, remains ready to engage constructively with Council Members, and champion a fact-based, practical approach to technical assistance and capacity-building.

I thank you, Mr President.