Chinese envoy calls for helping DRC to develop security

World
Europe

A Chinese envoy on Monday urged the international community to help the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) develop its internal security.

The current focus should be helping the DRC to enhance its security and supporting the effort of the DRC government to maintain peace and stability, Wu Haitao, the charge d'affaires of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, told the Security Council meeting on the situation in the DRC.

With the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) mandate up for renewal at the end of March, Leila Zerrougui, the UN secretary-general's special representative for the DRC, Monday briefed the Security Council on the situation in the DRC.

Leila Zerrougui, the UN secretary-general's special representative for the DRC briefs the Security Council on the situation concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in New York, U.S., March 18, 2019. /UNSC Photo

Despite the relatively peaceful passage of the elections in the country, Zerrougui told the Security Council that she "remained concerned" over developments in the east, where dozens of armed groups continue to operate.

The international community should "fully respect the sovereignty and independence and territorial integrity of the DRC," Wu said, adding that it should also "fully respect the ownership and leadership of the DRC government in handling its own affairs, strengthen communication with the DRC government, and help the DRC to resolve its challenges in humanitarian, security, development and other fields."

"International partners should help with the DRC's effort to make sure that armed groups in the DRC to abandon the military solution and instead resolve the issues through dialogue and consultation," he added.

Wu also said that efforts must be made to "continue providing necessary humanitarian assistance and economic support to the DRC government."

Noting that MONUSCO is "indispensable" to peace and stability in the country, Wu said that China supports the extension of its mandate.

A wide view of the Security Council meeting on the situation concerning the DRC in New Yok, March 18, 2019. /UNSC Photo

France's representative Francois Delattre noted France will soon table a draft resolution renewing MONUSCO's mandate while calling for a strategic review, he said, expressing his delegation's hope that the Council will begin a transition to other forms of support later in 2019, with a view to the Mission's eventual withdrawal.

The U.S. representative Jonathan Cohen said the U.S. is committed to creating a more peaceful country by working closely with the new Government.

He went on to welcome MONUSCO's proactive decision to redirect its focus to the country's east, while also warning of rising border tensions among countries of the Great Lakes region and underlining the need for accountability for those crimes.

The representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported that his country has been establishing new institutions following the January 24 transition of presidential power.

Turning to MONUSCO's future, he said President Felix Tshisekedi has acknowledged the need for a progressive withdrawal, a joint exit strategy and a strategic dialogue.

: Felix Tshisekedi holds up the constitution during his presidential the inauguration ceremony in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, January 24, 2019. /VCG Photo

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on February 15 submitted to the President of the Security Council an update on the situation in the DRC.

The update, which covers developments in the DRC from January 1 to 31, was submitted pursuant to Resolution 2409 (2018), in which the Security Council requested the secretary-general to provide a written update every 30 days on political and technical progress towards the holding of elections in the DRC and on obstacles to the implementation of the political agreement of December 31, 2016.

(With inputs from Xinhua)

(Top image: File photo: WU Haitao, China Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, speaks during a UN Security Council meeting in New York, U.S., February 28, 2019. /VCG Photo)