Speech delivered at the 12th High-Level Meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, Entebbe, Uganda, 28 May 2025

I deliver this speech on behalf of the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes Region which includes Belgium, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, chaired by Germany.

On behalf of the International Contact Group I thank you for the opportunity to speak at this important meeting.

This meeting takes place at a crucial time for the peoples of the Great Lakes region, notably in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, not least given the disastrous humanitarian situation in many places in North and South Kivu and in Ituri. The consequences I have witnessed during my recent missions to the region.

Today, I would like to convey three main messages:

First, the International Contact Group stands firmly behind the spirit and the objectives of the Framework Agreement.

It is not without reason that the International Contact Group in February 2025 called in its public statement on all parties in the region of the Great Lakes to – I quote – “avoid military escalation, engage seriously in a political peace process, address the root causes of the conflict and work towards revitalizing the 2013 Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region.”

A comprehensive political agreement implemented by all parties is the only way to achieve a sustainable solution.

And a sustainable solution can only be found if the principles of sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity are respected by all parties involved and if each party fulfills the obligations it has subscribed to by signing the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework twelve years ago.

Therefore – and this is my second point – the International Contact Group fully supports the current political processes aiming at a sustainable solution in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes Region on the basis of the relevant African Union and United Nation Security Council resolutions, including UNSC resolution 2773.

We commend the tremendous engagement by the President of Angola, João Lourenço, and former President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, and the groundwork that they laid with the Luanda and Nairobi processes which will now be continued under the leadership of the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, mandated by the African Union, together with the five distinguished facilitators.

We also commend that the guiding principle of the UNSC Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security has been honoured in the composition of the group of facilitators. This is especially relevant in a context where acts of sexual violence are used as weapons of war – as was already mentioned in the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework twelve years ago.

We welcome the important facilitating role of the State of Qatar and the breakthrough and momentum achieved by the mediation of the United States which led to the signing of the Declaration of Principles in Washington D.C. on April 25, 2025 between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.

The members of the International Contact Group stand ready to support a coordinated approach of these processes that ultimately should lead to the revitalization the 2013 Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework and its implementation.

Third, the litmus test for our diplomatic endeavours must be the situation on the ground.

Without a ceasefire and without withdrawal of foreign troops violating the territorial integrity, statements will remain lip-service.

Humanitarian access has to be ensured without any delay or conditions; all parties have the obligation to respect international humanitarian law.

Therefore, the International Contact Group urges – once again – the parties to implement the immediate and unconditional ceasefire and call on all armed groups, including those supported by foreign actors, to lay down their arms and continue dialogue to put an end to the violence and protect civilian populations.

I would like to conclude by conveying my best wishes to Uganda, President Museweni, as future Chair of the PSC Framework to steer the process at this crucial time as well as thanking H.E. President Ndaishimiye.

I thank you.