United Nations: (TDI): Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Munir Akram, urged the Security Council on Monday to take decisive actions to address the escalating (Democratic Republic of Congo) DRC Crisis.
Addressing an urgent meeting convened to discuss the deteriorating situation in DRC, Ambassador Akram emphasized Pakistan’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Congo, condemned the ongoing violence, and urged immediate and effective measures to protect civilians, peacekeepers and humanitarian efforts in the region.
He said that Pakistan strongly condemned the attacks in North and now South Kivu by the M23 (Congolese Revolutionary Army).
The M23 has seized Sake and encircled Goma, causing sizeable civilian casualties as well as attacking UN and African peacekeepers, several of whom have been killed or injured.
These attacks on civilians and UN peacekeepers, deployed under the mandate of the UNSC, constitute war crimes and those responsible for perpetrating, assisting or sponsoring these attacks must be held accountable, he demanded.
“We demand that the M23 halt its attacks immediately – including spoofing and jamming, withdraw from the areas it has occupied and observe the ceasefire agreement of 31 July 2024,: he said.
“We express our condolences to South Africa, Uruguay and to the families of the peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the noble cause of preserving peace and security.”
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Pakistan’s envoy urged an urgent and adequate response to the horrific humanitarian crisis in Eastern DRC and to help those affected by the M23 attacks.
He said that humanitarian organizations should have full access to the affected areas.
Safety Concerns for Peacekeepers
Munir Akran commended the courage of the peacekeepers working in Congo.
He said urged for immediate measures to ensure the safety and security of the UN civilians and that of the UN and other peacekeeping units in Eastern DRC.
“We are especially concerned for the Pakistani Artillery Battery deployed in Sake and adjacent parts. It is highly exposed without supporting troops to defend itself against M23 forces,” he said.
Akram said that this Unit should be quickly re-deployed for the safety of its personnel and its heavy equipment, which must not fall into the hands of the rebel force.
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Redeployment will also enable the Unit to provide support to the DRC forces move effectively. Such redeployment needs to be done immediately and while it is still possible, he added.
