Security Council urges warring parties to cease hostilities

Concerned by the increase in hostilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) only days before the start of the inter-Congolese peace talks on Monday, the UN Security Council has called on all parties to the conflict to exercise military restraint, the UN Department of Public Information reported. Council President Richard Ryan of Ireland told reporters that the Council called on all countries in the region, in particular the Kinshasa government, to cease support for armed groups in eastern DRC. It also urged all foreign forces to begin their withdrawal from Congolese territory, in accordance with the Lusaka peace agreement and Council resolutions.

The Council also called on all foreign forces, in particular Rwanda, to desist from reinforcing its military presence in the DRC, and on the Rwandan-backed Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma) armed opposition movement to demilitarise Kisangani. It asked the government of Rwanda to exert its influence on the RCD in this matter.

Welcoming the start of the inter-Congolese dialogue on 15 October, the Council reaffirmed its support for the facilitator, former Botswanan president Ketumile Masire, and his team. The Council called on all Congolese parties to the talks to make every effort to ensure success of the dialogue. The Council also encouraged donors to continue to support the talks and to expedite the disbursement of funding.

On the humanitarian front, the Council voiced serious concern at the worsening of the relief and human rights situation in DRC, particularly in the east. It also expressed concern at the illegal exploitation of the country's natural resources, pledging its support for the work of a UN panel currently examining the issue.