US 'alarmed' over escalating fighting in eastern Congo

The United States said Sunday evening that it is "alarmed" over the escalating fighting between the M23 armed group and the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) in eastern Congo. State Department Deputy Spokeswoman Marie Harf stressed in a statement "we condemn the actions of the M23, which have resulted in civilian casualties, attacks on the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO), and significant population displacements." "We are also concerned by reports of shellings across the Rwandan border, including credible UN reports that the M23 has fired into Rwandan territory," calling on the M23 "to immediately end the hostilities, lay down their arms, and disband, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions," she stressed. She noted "we commend the actions of MONUSCO to protect civilians in and around Goma," saying attacks against UN installations and personnel are "unacceptable." "We are deeply concerned about evidence of increasing ethnic tensions in Goma and call on all parties to avoid any actions that could exacerbate such tensions," she added. Harf said "we urgently call on the DRC and Rwandan governments to exercise restraint to prevent military escalation of the conflict or any action that puts civilians at risk." She reiterated "our call for Rwanda to cease any and all support to the M23 and to respect DRC's territorial integrity, consistent with U.N. Security Council resolutions and its commitments under the Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework." She added "we also call on the DRC to take all prudent steps to protect civilians and to take precautions that FARDC shells do not inadvertently land in Rwandan territory," urging MONUSCO and the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism "to promptly and thoroughly investigate charges of cross-border shelling," and "we urge all parties to facilitate access for humanitarian organizations assisting populations in need." She affirmed that the "United States fully supports the Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework signed by the DRC, Rwandan, and neighboring governments in February 2013 as the basis for a political dialogue to resolve the longstanding conflict in the region." "We also believe any political settlement of the conflict must include accountability for human rights atrocities committed by leaders of the M23 and other armed groups, including the FDLR," she added. She stressed that the US "stands ready to consider further targeted sanctions against the leaders of the M23 and other armed groups and those who support them."