The EU urges Rwanda to stop supporting the M23 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

BRUSSELS, Dec. 31 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The European Union has “firmly” urged the Rwandan authorities to “stop supporting” the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group so as not to exacerbate the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in line with the calls that come carrying out the Congolese government itself.

The Rwandan government has repeatedly denied its alleged support for the rebels, despite the fact that United Nations experts stated in a recent report that the Rwandan authorities maintain a “direct intervention” in neighboring DRC.

The EU External Action Service, headed by Josep Borrell, has applauded the work of these experts and has considered the conclusions of their report “deeply worrying”, also confirming the alleged Rwandan involvement.

The EU has asked all the countries of the region to “prevent the provision of any support to groups active in the DRC”, while it has urged the Congolese authorities to stop any collaboration between the Army and armed movements and to adopt “all the necessary measures” to protect the civilian population.

“The EU reiterates its full solidarity with the populations of eastern DRC, who continue to pay the price for cycles of violence, violations of Human Rights and abuses,” Borrell’s office said in its note.

Armed activity, he has warned, “is worsening a humanitarian crisis that affects 27 million people throughout the country”, for which the European bloc has offered to help in any effort aimed at “stabilization” and “development sustainable” in the area.