US, Belgium, France, Britain Condemn Continued Advance Of M23 In Eastern DR Congo

The United States and the special envoys of Belgium, France and Britain to the Great Lakes Region, have condemned “in the strongest terms, the continued advance in the Democratic Republic of Congo, of the illegal armed group sanctioned by the United Nations known as M23 movement”.“The resumption of violence since October 20, notably in the towns of Rutshuru, Kiwanja, Rumangabo and Kibumba and their neighbourhoods, undermines the peace efforts and brings about an increase in insecurity as well as serious human sufferings” a communique issued on Nov 18 said.The special representatives called on M23 to immediately withdraw and put an end to all activities violating international law and cease all hostilities.“We reaffirm our support in favour of regional diplomatic efforts notably the processes of Nairobi and Luanda which promote de-escalation and create the conditions of a durable peace in the DR Congo. We encourage the resumption of dialogue through these mechanisms and call on the non-Congolese state armed groups to participate in the Nairobi process. All support to non-state armed actors must stop, including external support to M23”, the communique stated.“We call on countries of the region to do everything in their powers to demand the immediate cessation of hostilities and an immediate resumption of consultations on the concrete steps that would lead to a reduction of the current tension. We reaffirm our attachment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries of the Great Lakes Region”, the communique added.The facilitator of the DR Congo peace process, former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta, declared in a communique that he had agreed with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda on the necessity for a ceasefire and he had accepted to assist the East African Community in exhorting the M23 to ceasefire and withdraw from Congolese territory it is currently occupying.