International Contact Group has 'profound concern' for escalation in Congo

​​​​​​​By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - The International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG), chaired by Germany and including the US, EU, UK and several European nations, issued a statement Tuesday expressing "profound concern" regarding renewed violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The statement focused on the new offensive by the March 23 Movement (M23) around Uvira, South Kivu.

The ICG warned that the fighting has a "destabilizing potential" for the entire region.

It expressed particular alarm at the increased use of attack and suicide drones in the conflict, calling it a "significant escalation" that poses an "acute risk to civilian populations."

The ICG urged the M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) to "immediately halt" offensive operations in eastern Congo.

It called on the RDF to withdraw from the region, and demanded the M23 return to its positions and "uphold it commitments of the Declaration of Principles that was signed in Doha on 19 July 2025.”

The group also urged all parties to honor obligations to protect civilians; adhere to UN Security Council Resolution 2773, which demanded the M23 to stop all offensives and Rwanda to end support for the rebel group; respect territorial integrity and uphold the Washington Accords of Dec. 4.

It urged actors to avoid provocative actions and ensure safe, unimpeded humanitarian access to those in need.