Check against delivery! 

Dear President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament,  

The European Union is appalled by the increased military build-up and spike of violence in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the tragic consequences the population is once again forced to endure.  

This intensification of the violence has created new waves of mass displacements and has further deteriorated the already worrying humanitarian situation. Serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law multiply, within a context of complete impunity.  

The European Union has stepped up its humanitarian response and has made €100 million available for 2023, but many of the most vulnerable still do not receive the support they need due to the gravity of the crisis and overwhelming needs.  

We associate ourselves with the statement of the African Union Commission Chairperson [Moussa Faki Mahamat] of 21^st February: there is no military solution to this crisis. Only an inclusive political dialogue that can address the root causes of insecurity and instability, the comprehensive implementation of the decisions taken within the frame of the Luanda and Nairobi processes and the respect of the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of all the countries in the region, can break the cycle of violence and impunity once and for all.  

The European Union reaffirms its strong support to the Luanda and Nairobi processes and calls for their quick relaunch. Existing roadmaps must be implemented. Existing verification mechanisms must be reactivated.  

The EU reiterates its condemnation of the actions by all armed groups that operate in Eastern DRC. Those groups must cease hostilities, withdraw from the areas they occupy, lay down their weapons, and be integrated in a disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration process.  

All states in the region must cease any support, direct or indirect, to those armed groups. Rwanda must immediately withdraw its troops from the DRC, cease all support to M23 and use all the means at its disposal to pressure this group to stop, withdraw and disarm. Similarly, the DRC must cease any support and cooperation with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and other armed groups, and ensure its population is protected from harm. DRC authorities must ensure that the instructions it issued to its armed forces last November with regard to the FDLR be fast implemented. 

A final word to reiterate, once again and in absolute terms: our condemnation of hate speech and xenophobia, as well as ethnic-based narratives and politics. According to some experts, the level of hate speech and ethnic violence reminds the worst pages of History in this region, where we are about to commemorate the 30^th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi. More than ever, we urge all political and civil society actors, including at the highest level, to refrain from such narratives and to intensify efforts against this. 

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-253459 

Closing remarks  

Honourable Members, 

I think the debate today actually illustrates the complexity of the conflict in Eastern DRC and the situation in the broader Great Lakes. It equally illustrates the importance of addressing the root causes of this conflict, such as the trafficking of natural resources, which indeed feeds mal-governance and armed groups themselves.  

So, regarding this signature of MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) on Critical Raw Materials with Rwanda. One of the main objectives of the MoU on Critical Raw Materials is to support the sustainable and responsible sourcing, production and processing of raw materials. And the goal is to increase traceability and transparency and to reinforce the fight against illegal trafficking of minerals.

It is good to remember that this follows the partnership on Critical Raw Materials with the DRC in October. So, we have signed the MoU both with the DRC and with Rwanda on Critical Raw Materials. So, these efforts which we sustained also with our support to the International Conference of the Great Lakes region and our own provision on conflict minerals and due diligence, among others, are in the interest of all the countries and populations in the region.

In line with its renewed Strategy for the Great Lakes region, the European Union will continue to contribute to help end the conflict and promote peace, democracy and sustainable development, by contributing to the transformation of the key root causes of insecurity and instability into shared opportunities for unlocking the region’s full potential.  

 I thank you for the discussion and [I am] very much looking forward to working very close with the Parliament in order to end this horrible conflict.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-253461