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Saturday, February 15, 2025

Pakistan Reiterates Call for Dialogue in DR Congo

United Nations (TDI): Pakistan’s permanent representative to the UN Ambassador Munir Akram has said that there is no military solution to the conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the focus must now turn to dialogue between the parties.

Addressing at the UN Security Council emergency meeting on Tuesday, he said, ““We call on Rwanda and the DRC to cease hostilities and to immediately revive the Luanda process of dialogue under the mediatory leadership of President Joao Lourenco of Angola.”

“Since we met on Sunday, the M23 have largely controlled Goma,” Akram said, adding that thousands of people are currently fleeing their homes, and many UN and other peacekeeping forces are encountering mortar and small arms fire.

Three UN peacekeepers have died and 22 have been wounded, and SAMIDRC, an African regional peacekeeping force, has also suffered fatalities and casualties.

“We strongly condemn M23’s offensive on Goma,” Ambassador Akram said, stressing that it must immediately stop its advance and vacate all territories it has occupied.

Underlining the M23’s siege of Goma and its serious humanitarian consequences, the envoy called for urgently devising a plan for the protection of civilians, handling of displaced people in Eastern DRC.

Ambassador Akram urged all foreign forces to withdraw from the territories of DRC.

Also Read: Pakistan Appeals for Ceasefire, Talks in Sudan

“The M23 must not impede access for safe and unhindered access of humanitarian assistance and personnel to the affected areas and people including through humanitarian corridors.”

He also warned M23 fighters that attacks on the peacekeepers amount to war crimes and those responsible for these attacks must be held accountable.

Also Read: Pakistan Urges UN Action on DRC Crisis

The envoy also condemned attacks on diplomatic missions in Kinshasa, DRC’s capital.

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