Ambassador Gatete conveyed these concerns during a statement at the UN Security Council Briefing on MONUSCO Secretary General’s report on September 28, 2023, in New York.

He highlighted that despite positive developments such as the Luanda and Nairobi mechanisms and the deployment of the East Africa Regional Force (EACRF), sporadic clashes involving various groups continued in the Eastern DR Congo.

He called on the council to urged DRC government to fulfill its responsibility by disassociating from the FDLR and ensuring their immediate repatriation, as stipulated in the Luanda and Nairobi mechanisms.

Amb. Gatete stressed that hate speech and violence against Rwandophones in the region pose a grave threat to Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region.

He also expressed concerns about disinformation targeting MONUSCO and the EACRF and urged the DRC government to extend the EACRF mission during this critical period. Rwanda implored the Council to hold the DRC accountable for any resumption of hostilities and encouraged addressing the root causes of the conflict.

Among others, Amb. Gatete emphasized Rwanda’s commitment to regional mechanisms and called out external powers for pursuing their economic interests at the expense of Rwanda, which could worsen the situation in the DRC.

Lastly, he highlighted the dire humanitarian situation of DRC refugees and internally displaced persons and appealed to the Council to facilitate their safe repatriation and return.

Ambassador Claver Gatete has expressed deep concerns about the ongoing collaboration between DR Congo and FDLR.