Here’s the translation to American English:
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his satisfaction with the recent peace agreement signed between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, which was formalized last Friday in Washington, D.C. In a statement, Guterres emphasized that this agreement represents “a significant step toward easing tensions, peace, and stability in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the Great Lakes region.”
The situation in eastern Congo has been characterized since the 1990s by a continuous cycle of violence, with multiple armed groups subjecting the local population to a state of constant terror. The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the rebel group M23, a claim that Rwandan authorities have vehemently denied. Recently, M23 has intensified its attacks in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, leading to the capture of several towns, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu. This violence has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths and the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, as well as serious human rights violations.
Guterres also highlighted the active role of the United States in mediating this agreement, in collaboration with Qatar and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, who acts as the African Union mediator. In his statement, the Secretary-General urged both parties to fulfill their commitments and comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2773, which was unanimously adopted in February and condemned the M23 offensive while urging a resumption of diplomatic dialogue between Congo and Rwanda.
Finally, he reiterated the UN’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the agreement, working closely with the African Union and other regional and international partners. Bintou Keita, UN Special Representative and head of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), also celebrated this agreement as a significant advancement toward ending the confrontations in the region.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
