I will make three points.
First, the United Kingdom is concerned by the impact of the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC, which is worsening an already dire humanitarian situation.
We commend the swift response of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and we welcome MONUSCO’s efforts to ensure that critical supplies can reach affected areas.
The United Kingdom has committed up to $26 million to support the Ebola response.
We are working with the DRC, international partners, including the World Health Organisation, and Africa CDC, and regional governments, to support a coordinated response and to strengthen surveillance, containment, and preparedness.
We call on all parties to provide full and unhindered humanitarian access, in line with international law, to enable this vital public health response.
Second, the UK welcomes the commitments made by the DRC and by Rwanda at the Joint Oversight Committee Meeting in London on 24 June.
It is vital that the agreed steps to de-escalate tensions are taken without delay, in accordance with Security Council resolution 2773.
We welcome the commitment to support a successful conclusion to the Doha Process, and we call on all parties to engage constructively with negotiations on the protocols.
We also urge all parties to support the swift deployment of the Enhanced Joint Verification Mechanism, and to ensure that MONUSCO has freedom of movement to support ceasefire monitoring and verification efforts, as well as to fully implement its mandate.
Finally, the United Kingdom expresses deep concern over the scale of human rights violations and abuses in eastern DRC, highlighted in the Secretary-General’s latest report.
This includes widespread conflict-related sexual violence and grave violations against children.
We note with concern increased drone strikes, aerial bombardments, and heavy artillery shelling in densely populated areas, undermining the safety of civilians.
The United Kingdom underscores the need for all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect civic space.
