U.S. condemns rebels for escalation of fighting in eastern DRC

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U.S. condemns rebels for escalation of fighting in eastern DRC

(Xinhua) 16:00, August 26, 2013

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 -- The United States on Sunday condemned the M23 rebels for escalating fighting with armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and called for protection of civilians.

"We condemn the actions of the M23, which have resulted in civilian casualties, attacks on the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO), and significant population displacements," U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf said in a statement.

The United States is also concerned by reports of shelling across the Rwandan border, including credible UN reports that the M23 has fired into Rwandan territory, Harf said.

"We call on the M23 to immediately end the hostilities, lay down their arms, and disband, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions," she said.

Harf also expressed concerns about evidence of increasing ethnic tensions in Goma, a city in eastern DRC, and called on all parties to avoid any actions that could exacerbate such tensions.

Washington also urgently calls on the DRC and Rwandan governments "to exercise restraint to prevent military escalation of the conflict or any action that puts civilians at risk," the spokeswoman said.

Harf reiterated the U.S. call for Rwanda to cease support to the M23 and respect the DRC's territorial integrity, while urging the DRC to take all prudent steps to protect civilians and to prevent its shells from inadvertently landing in Rwandan territory.

"We urge MONUSCO and the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism to promptly and thoroughly investigate charges of cross-border shelling," she said, adding that all parties should facilitate access for humanitarian organizations assisting populations in need.

The United States fully supports the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework signed by the DRC, Rwandan and neighboring governments in February 2013 as the basis for political dialogue to resolve the longstanding conflict in the region, she said.

Harf added that the United States is ready to consider further targeted sanctions against the leaders of the M23 and other armed groups and those who support them.

In the wake of renewed violence in eastern DRC, the MONUSCO has stepped up its patrols, standing ready to send in helicopters to protect civilians and put in place a contingency plan in the area.

The past year witnessed repeated clashes between the M23, along with other armed groups, and government forces in eastern DRC. The group briefly occupied Goma in November 2012.

The recent fighting has displaced more than 100,000 people, exacerbating an ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region which includes 2.6 million internally displaced people and 6.4 million in need of food and emergency aid, according to UN figures.