John Kelley
Acting U.S. Alternate Representative
New York, New York
April 16, 2025
AS DELIVERED
Merci Monsieur le Président. Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Special Envoy Huang Xia, for your briefing today.
The United States remains deeply concerned by the situation in eastern DRC, and we strongly condemn the continued violence, including by M23. We urge all parties to immediately cease hostilities and to hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses.
As Resolution 2773 calls for, M23 must fully withdraw from all territory of which it has taken control. Rwanda must cease support for M23 and withdraw all troops from the DRC. We are encouraged by M23 and RDF withdrawal of forces from Walikale.
We call on Rwanda to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC and further call on all countries in the region to do the same. We are encouraged by the DRC’s willingness to hold direct talks with M23.
A cohesive, African-led process remains the most viable path toward a lasting solution, and we hope the UN’s good offices, broad mandates, and vast institutional knowledge in the Great Lakes can be brought to bear to support these regional peace initiatives.
Greater coordination between regional and UN mechanisms is needed to prevent forum shopping and duplication of efforts. We reject any action by the parties to delay commitments, amass negotiating leverage, or distract the international community from further escalation.
We welcome Special Envoy Xia’s use of his position to assist regional countries and organizations in their efforts towards peace.
Twelve years after its adoption, the Peace Security and Cooperation Framework remains far from both being fully implemented and realizing its foundational goal of ending recurring cycles of violence in this region. While root causes persist, the United States remains committed to supporting an end to this conflict.
We believe the Great Lakes region has immense potential for shared prosperity through enduring peace and stability. That is why the United States sent a recent high-level delegation to the region. But this conflict must end. Only then will the region be able to unlock its full potential.
Mercie Monsieur Président.
