The International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG)—a coalition including the United States, several European nations, and the European Union—issued a formal statement on Thursday, March 5, 2026, expressing deep concern over persistent ceasefire violations in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Chaired by Sweden, the group underscored that there is no viable military solution to the conflict and urged all warring parties to urgently resume negotiations. The ICG specifically condemned the repeated breaches of the December 2025 Washington Agreements and the July 2025 Doha Initiative, noting that the ongoing use of drones in military operations poses a grave and unacceptable threat to civilian populations.
The coalition called on all actors to unequivocally commit to a cessation of hostilities and to fully honor their obligations under existing peace frameworks and United Nations Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 2773 and 2808. Emphasizing the necessity of respecting the DRC’s territorial integrity, the group praised the mediation efforts led by Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, as well as the strategic support provided by the United States and Qatar. Furthermore, the ICG expressed its support for the establishment of a robust ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism, which is being coordinated through partnerships involving Qatar, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, and the United Nations peacekeeping mission, MONUSCO.
Despite the ongoing violence, the group acknowledged several recent humanitarian improvements, such as the reopening of the border between the DRC and Burundi and the resumption of humanitarian flights at Goma airport following a high-level visit by the acting head of MONUSCO, Jan van de Perre. These advancements in humanitarian access, supported by regional leaders and European officials, were highlighted as positive developments that must be sustained.
Looking toward a long-term resolution, the ICG reiterated that an inclusive inter-Congolese dialogue is essential for lasting peace, welcoming the ongoing consultative efforts led by the Republic of Angola. In their concluding remarks, the group members urged all parties to immediately cease all forms of incitement to hatred, discrimination, or violence. They specifically highlighted the need to protect Rwandan-speaking minorities and called for an end to any actions that endanger civilian lives or threaten the social cohesion of the region.
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