The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has strongly criticised the United Nations Security Council for its “inaction” following the capture of Bukavu by the M23 armed group. In a letter obtained by AFP, the DRC’s ambassador to the UN, Zenon Mukongo Ngay, condemned the council’s failure to respond decisively to the escalating crisis.
“My government is outraged to see that the Security Council, paralyzed by who knows what illness, has been unable to reach a decision, despite the gravity of the situation,” Mukongo Ngay wrote. He accused the council of enabling the “illegal occupation” of Congolese territory by Rwandan troops and their allies in M23.
After seizing Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, M23 fighters and Rwandan forces moved into South Kivu, capturing Bukavu on Sunday after reaching its outskirts on Friday. The DRC has now called for an emergency Security Council meeting, urging immediate and decisive action.
A French-led draft resolution, in development since late January, demands M23’s withdrawal and the removal of Rwandan forces without preconditions. It also proposes sanctioning M23 leaders and any external backers while encouraging diplomatic talks between Kinshasa and Kigali.
The DRC’s frustration highlights mounting tensions over the international community’s handling of the crisis, with the Security Council’s perceived inaction worsening an already volatile situation.
