International Contact Group Calls for Immediate Ceasefire and Inclusive Dialogue in DR Congo

A coalition of nations and the European Union, led by France as chair of the International Contact Group (ICG) for the Great Lakes region, issued the following statement on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The International Contact Group (ICG) for the Great Lakes region calls on all signatories of the Washington Accords and Doha Framework to remain committed and work in good faith toward a lasting, peaceful resolution of the conflict, fulfilling their obligations without delay. The ICG backs the mediators’ efforts, including those of the African Union led by the President of the Togolese Republic, and welcomes the recent visit of the co‑facilitators to the region, underscoring the vital role of regional leadership.

Given recent political and security developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the ICG welcomes the 19 October statement by the African Union Commission President urging all parties to exercise restraint. The ICG unequivocally rejects the use of violence to achieve political goals, as promoted by the newly formed Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN).

All parties must respect the rule of law and the DRC Constitution, and the ICG reaffirms its commitment to the country’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity. A peaceful, inclusive inter‑Congolese dialogue that includes all key stakeholders is essential for lasting peace; political differences cannot be settled by force. Upholding the rule of law and protecting fundamental rights is vital to enable political parties and civil‑society groups to operate freely.

The ICG expresses deep concern over the ongoing fighting in eastern DRC and deplores the suffering of civilian populations. It urges all parties to honor the ceasefire commitments made in Doha on 19 July 2025. The increasing use of drones poses severe risks to civilians and humanitarian personnel.

The ICG calls on all parties to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2773, which demands that the Rwanda Defence Forces halt support to the M23, withdraw immediately from DRC territory without preconditions, dismantle any illegal parallel administrations, and neutralize the FDLR. Recalling its 14 August statement, which acknowledged the DRC government’s plan, the ICG urges Congolese authorities to present a concrete action plan and timeline for swiftly executing the FDLR disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration protocol.

Amid rising humanitarian needs and an ongoing Ebola outbreak, the ICG urges all parties and armed groups to respect international humanitarian law and guarantee full, safe, and unimpeded access for humanitarian actors to populations in need.

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