British News Agency

The ICG, which includes the United States of America (US), Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the European Union (EU), France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, issued a joint statement on the disarmament, demobilization and assembly protocol signed between the DRC authorities and FOCA FDLR.

The France-chaired ICG recalled that the DRC government announced on July 28 that it had accepted and signed a protocol on the disarmament, demobilization and assembly of a faction of the FDLR.

The ICG called on the DRC authorities to prepare an operational plan and a realistic timetable for conducting an effective FDLR neutralization process. The statement said the process should be consistent with the Washington Agreements, the October 31, 2024 CONOPS on the Disengagement of Forces and the Lifting of Rwanda's Defensive Measures, and the obligations under the June 27, 2025 Washington Agreement.

The group highlighted the importance of the DRC government implementing the protocol and called for clarification of the anti-impunity mechanisms referenced in the protocol, as well as cooperation with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in its implementation.

The statement said any co-deployment or operational cooperation with FDLR elements was “fundamentally inconsistent” with the commitments made under the Washington Agreements.

The ICG said it was ready to welcome concrete steps to be taken by the DRC and Rwanda following the commitments they made as part of the peace process.

The group also called on the parties to the Washington Agreements and the Doha Framework, as well as various mediation initiatives including the African Union, to continue their efforts to implement the commitments made.

Recalling the parties' obligation to protect civilians and comply with United Nations Security Council resolutions 2773 and 2808, the ICG said sovereignty and territorial integrity must be fully respected and tensions must be immediately de-escalated.

The ICG also described the prisoner exchange agreement between the DRC and AFC/M23 as an important step toward reducing tensions and building confidence between the parties. The group welcomed the recent transfer to AFC/M23 of individuals released by the DRC authorities with the facilitation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Finally, the statement called on all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access so that essential assistance can reach those in need.