23 September 2008

Statement on Situation in Democratic Republic of the Congo

United States condemns renewed fighting, calls for cessation of hostilities

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
September 23, 2008

Statement by Robert A. Wood, Deputy Spokesman

Situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The United States condemns the renewed fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and calls on all parties to cease hostilities immediately, accept the disengagement plan put forth by the U.N. Mission in the Congo, and recommit themselves to full participation in the Amani process. In addition, the U.S. calls on all parties to the Nairobi Communiqué and the Goma Agreement to move quickly to fulfill those commitments.

The intensified clashes of September 20-22 are an unfortunate step backwards after General Nkunda’s unilateral cease-fire declaration and pullback of September 11 and President Kabila’s acceptance of the U.N. Mission in the Congo’s plan on September 18. The fighting of the past several days has led to hundreds of deaths and the displacement of thousands of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. These clashes also have detracted from efforts to deal with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, which is key to the stability of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the wider sub-region.

(end text)