Democratic Republic of the Congo – Situation in the eastern DRC (20 February 2024)

France is deeply concerned by the situation in eastern Congo, North Kivu and particularly the area around Goma and Sake. Attacks on the DRC’s territorial integrity and the conditions faced by civilian populations are unacceptable. France condemns the ongoing Rwanda-backed M23 offensive, as well as the presence of Rwandan forces on Congolese soil.

M23 must bring an immediate halt to the fighting and withdraw from all the areas it occupies in line with the decisions taken within the framework of the Luanda Process. We call on Rwanda to end all support for M23 and to withdraw from Congolese territory. France calls on all armed groups to end the violence. In keeping with their commitments, the armed forces of the DRC must end all collaboration with the FDLR, the movement formed by the militias who committed the genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994.

France reiterates its full support for regional mediation processes aimed at achieving a negotiated solution to the conflict.