European and African ambassadors accredited to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have reaffirmed their support for the “urgent” implementation of UN Resolution 2773 adopted in October in response to the alleged Rwandan aggression in the eastern part of the country.
Since late 2023, North Kivu has experienced intensified fighting between government forces and their allies and the M23 movement, which multiple UN reports indicate is receiving military support from Rwanda.
Resolution 2773 calls for the immediate withdrawal of M23 from occupied areas, condemns “external support” to the rebellion, and urges respect for the DRC’s territorial integrity.
Kinshasa has for weeks demanded the resolution’s full implementation, citing a
“critical” humanitarian and security situation.
Speaking after a meeting held at the European Union embassy in Kinshasa, EU ambassador to the DRC, Nicolas Berlanga, emphasized the convergence of views between diplomats and Congolese authorities.
“The communiqué explicitly references Resolution 2773… These points align with the DRC’s position, and the European Union supports them as a solution to the crisis,” he stated.
The discussions also revisited the key resolutions of the 7th European Union-African Union Summit, held on 25 November in Luanda, Angola, which renewed calls to “promote effective multilateralism.”
“We reviewed the joint communiqué… There is a call to work toward a rules-based world, in line with the United Nations Charter,” Berlanga added.
Ambassadors also addressed trade and economic partnership between the two continents.
According to Berlanga, “We discussed strengthening economic ties between Africa and Europe, but these relationships cannot be extractive… Africa demands more value addition, more industrialization, and, above all, more job creation.”
Speaking on behalf of African diplomats, Moroccan Ambassador Rachid Agassim noted that the meeting was an opportunity to review a partnership established a quarter-century ago.
“This exchange allowed us to discuss the main themes of the summit… We have been fostering dialogue between the two continents for 25 years. It is time to take stock,” he said.
At the Luanda summit, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi reiterated the need to place peace and security at the centre of Europe-Africa cooperation.
“Vital issues for the future of African peoples must remain priorities,” he said, calling for rapid implementation of commitments, including UN Resolution 2773.
RNK/ac/lb/jn/APA