AU-PSC/DRC: Morocco reiterates unwavering commitment to the principles of state sovereignty, national unity, neighborliness

Morocco reiterated, during an emergency ministerial meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC) convened Tuesday on the recent developments in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), its unwavering commitment to the fundamental principles of state sovereignty, national and territorial unity, neighborliness, and non-interference in internal affairs.

The Kingdom reaffirms its firm commitment to respecting the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of all African states, particularly the DRC in this case, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, in an address delivered on his behalf by Morocco’s Permanent Representative to the AU and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Mohamed Arrouchi.

Morocco also reaffirms its consistent position against any form of separatism and strongly condemns the destabilizing actions of armed groups that jeopardize the national unity of States, Bourita underlined in his address.

The Kingdom ultimately reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the principles of neighborliness, mutual respect, non-interference, and constructive dialogue, he stressed, noting that “beyond immediate interests, it is the future of an entire region that is at stake, and history will always remember those who chose the path of wisdom.”

Bourita also noted that the Kingdom remains determined to support UN and continental efforts to restore peace and stability and promote development in the region.

Furthermore, he affirmed that Morocco calls for the convergence of all efforts to support the mediation led by the President of Angola, João Lourenço, under the Luanda Agreement process, which constitutes the main framework for resolving this crisis.

Morocco’s FM also highlighted that the Kingdom commends the commitment of regional organizations, including the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), which, alongside African and international partners, are working to promote the search for a sustainable solution to the crisis.

This political effort at regional level must be supported and accompanied by the continued support of the AU and the UN, whose peacekeepers remain mobilized for the cause of peace, including a Moroccan contingent, who are making the ultimate sacrifice to promote peace and stability on the brotherly land of the DRC, he added, praising in this regard the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council on the situation in eastern DRC, including the most recent one, calling on the parties to return to the negotiation table.

The situation in eastern DRC continues to take alarming proportions, with the number of internally displaced persons steadily increasing, noted the minister, adding that Morocco “firmly condemns the serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law perpetrated by these armed groups and strongly urges all parties to exercise the utmost restraint and immediately cease hostilities to encourage de-escalation.”

Morocco hopes that the East African Community Summit, scheduled for Wednesday, will be able to pave the way for a sustainable solution to the conflict, he said.

In the communiqué adopted at the end of this emergency ministerial meeting, the AU Peace and security Council expressed grave concern over the offensive launched by the M23 and its supporters in the past weeks, capturing Minova, Sake, and the regional capital, Goma, which resulted in death and casualties amongst civilians and peacekeepers, as well as worsening an already fragile security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC.

It also expressed deep concern over the increased tensions between the DRC and Rwanda and encouraged the two countries to prioritize peaceful means of addressing the challenges between them, and to cooperate with João Manuel Lourenço, President of Angola and Chair of the AU peace and reconciliation committee, entrusted with facilitating dialogue between the DRC and Rwanda.