The United States, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, as members of the International Contact Group (ICG) for the Great Lakes region, chaired by France, issue the following statement regarding the disarmament, demobilization, and cantonment protocol signed between the Congolese authorities and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda-FOCA (FDLR).
The ICG takes note of the July 28 announcement by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) government that a faction of the FDLR has formally accepted and signed a protocol on their disarmament, demobilization, and cantonment.
The ICG calls on the Congolese authorities to rapidly develop an operational plan with a realistic timeline to ensure effective neutralization of the FDLR, in accordance with commitments made under the Washington Agreements and the Disengagement of Forces/Lifting of Defensive Measures of Rwanda (CONOPS) of October 31, 2024, as well as the Washington agreement of June 27, 2025.
The ICG emphasizes the critical importance of full implementation of the protocol by the Congolese Government. It also urges clarification of the mechanisms for combating impunity outlined in the agreement and encourages close cooperation with MONUSCO as a key partner in this process. The group stresses that any co-location or operational collaboration with FDLR elements would contradict the commitments established in the Washington Accords.
The ICG remains prepared to welcome concrete progress made by either the DRC or Rwanda within the framework of the ongoing peace process.
The ICG calls on all signatories to the Washington Accords and Doha Framework, along with regional and international mediators including the African Union, to remain committed to implementing their respective obligations.
The ICG reminds all parties of their responsibility to protect civilians and comply with UN Security Council resolutions 2773 and 2808, particularly with regard to respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and urges immediate de-escalation of tensions.
The ICG acknowledges the prisoner exchange agreement between the DRC and the AFC/M23 as a significant confidence-building measure contributing to de-escalation and mutual trust. In this context, the group commends the recent transfer facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) of individuals released by Congolese authorities to the AFC/M23, viewing it as a constructive step forward.
The group further calls on all parties to honor their obligations under international humanitarian law and to ensure full, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access to enable the delivery of essential assistance to affected populations.