U.S. and Partners Issue Joint Statement on the Great Lakes Region, Urging Parties in Congo to Honor Ceasefire Commitments
The U.S. Department of State on October 30 released a joint statement from the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes region (ICG). The United States, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, as members of the ICG, chaired by France, issued the statement on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The ICG encourages all parties to the Washington Accords and the Doha Framework to remain committed and engage in good faith to find a lasting and peaceful resolution of the conflict and to fulfil their obligations without delay, the statement said. The ICG supports the efforts of the mediators, including those of the African Union, welcomes the co-facilitators' recent visit to the region, and reaffirms the importance of regional leadership.
The ICG reiterated its deep concern over the continued fighting in eastern DRC and deplored the suffering inflicted on civilian populations. It urged all parties to honor the ceasefire commitments made in Doha on July 19, 2025, and said the escalating use of drones has grave consequences for civilians and humanitarian workers. The group categorically rejected the pursuit of political objectives through violence, and underscored the need to respect the rule of law and the Constitution of the DRC, as well as its sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity.
The statement reminded the parties to implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 2773, which calls for the Rwanda Defence Forces to cease support to the M23 and withdraw from DRC territory immediately and without preconditions, for the dismantling of illegitimate parallel administrations in DRC territory, and for the neutralization of the FDLR. Against the backdrop of increasing humanitarian needs and the Ebola epidemic, the ICG urged all parties and armed groups to respect international humanitarian law and ensure humanitarian actors have full, safe, and unimpeded access to people in need.
Source: GSM · USA
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：美国国务院杜鲁门大楼（素材库 federal-core 固定图）。美国国务院摄，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / The Harry S. Truman Building, headquarters of the U.S. Department of State (GSM asset library, federal-core pack). Photo by the U.S. Department of State, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
