UN peacekeeping chief calls on M23 rebels to withdraw from Democratic Republic of Congo

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) – The UN peacekeeping chief on Sunday called on M23 rebels to end their activities and leave the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

"It's essential for the M23 to cease its activities and withdraw from occupied territory. Violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC is a violation of the fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter," Jean-Pierre Lacroix told an emergency UN Security Council meeting virtually.

In the last 48 hours, two UN Organization Stabilization Mission in Congo (MONUSCO) peacekeepers from South Africa and one peacekeeper from Uruguay were killed, and 11 injured peacekeepers are being treated in the UN hospital in Goma.

Saying the attacks on peacekeepers may constitute war crimes, Lacroix said MONUSCO remains committed to the "robust defense of its mandate under very challenging conditions."

"The council must honor the sacrifice made by the peacekeepers who have laid down their lives in pursuit of this noble goal by sending a clear and unequivocal message to the M23 and its packers that actions endangering the lives of civilians and UN peacekeepers will not be tolerated," he said.

He also urged all parties to the conflict to abide by international humanitarian law.

"It is still possible to avoid the worst, as long as this council acts without any further delay," he stressed.

The M23 rebels on Sunday announced the closure of airspace over the city of Goma, claiming the coalition forces supporting Congo’s Kinshasa regime are using Goma Airport to load bombs.

The M23, allegedly backed by Rwanda, has intensified its offensive in eastern Congo, capturing key towns and advancing toward Goma, capital of the North Kivu province. Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has repeatedly denied claims of supporting the rebels.

Congo severed diplomatic ties with Rwanda as recent escalations left at least 13 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers dead and thousands of civilians displaced, according to local media reports.