Washington [US], December 21: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has condemned Rwanda for backing a rebel offensive in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and urged it to withdraw its forces and stop supporting the M23 armed group.
The UNSC unanimously adopted the resolution on Friday, and also extended the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, for a year. This came despite Rwanda's repeated denials - contrary to overwhelming evidence - of involvement in a conflict that has intensified as a United States-brokered peace deal unravels. The UNSC said M23's seizure of the strategic city of Uvira "risks destabilizing the whole region, gravely endangers civilian populations and imperils ongoing peace efforts". "M23 must immediately withdraw at least 75km (47 miles) from Uvira and return to compliance with all of its obligations undertaken in the Framework Agreement," said Jennifer Locetta, a US representative to the UN. (Agencies)
Source: Qatar Tribune
