The United States is deeply concerned by the findings of the United Nations Group of Experts December 2024 midterm report on the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The report aligns with the United States' findings and accurately identifies the sources of the conflict in the eastern DRC.
The United States condemns the unlawful presence of several thousand Rwandan troops in the DRC, as well as Rwanda's support to and direction of the UN- and U.S.-sanctioned militia group M23, and Rwanda's use of surface-to-air missile systems, GPS-guided mortars, and anti-tank missiles. Rwanda and M23 must immediately cease GPS jamming and spoofing activities, which continue to ground MONUSCO air operations and UN humanitarian flights in North Kivu. These actions endanger UN and humanitarian personnel while blocking needed relief for civilians suffering from the related violence.
The United States also condemns what the report documents as the DRC armed force's continued "systematic" cooperation with the U.S.- and UN-sanctioned Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) armed group. We strongly urge Congolese authorities to ensure this cooperation ceases immediately, and we welcome the DRC government's pledge to work with MONUSCO to execute the FDLR neutralization plan in full respect for international humanitarian and human rights law. Moreover, there is no road to peace without dialogue between the government of the DRC and armed groups, including the M23.
