Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The United States is concerned about the recent fighting between rival factions in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. At least 100,000 people displaced by the fighting have yet to return home. We are unequivocally opposed to unilateral military actions, which are contrary to the agreements signed by the concerned parties and Security Council resolutions passed over the last five years.

A deteriorating security situation in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo undermines the peace process. Economic development and the provision of services to people living in that area will suffer as a consequence of the fighting. In this context, we welcome the Government of Rwanda’s statement that it will work with the international community to deal with the Interhamwe and other negative forces threatening the security of both the Congo and Rwanda.

We will continue to work closely with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its neighbors to resolve the current crisis and to find a durable and sustainable peace for the region.

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