New York – 27 April 2022 | The Security Council held the periodic six-month meeting on the situation in the Great Lakes Region. The Council was briefed by the Special Envoy of the Secretary General to the region, Huang Xia, the Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, João Samuel Caholo, as well as by the independent expert Dinesh Mahtani.

Special Envoy Xia noted that the situation in the region has been characterized by an encouraging dynamic of dialogue, cooperation and integration. But he added that this positive momentum was interrupted by the security and humanitarian crisis in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), exacerbated by the resumption of military activities by the M23 group and the escalation of attacks on civilians by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and other local armed groups. According to Xia, to achieve gradual progress towards a lasting peace, further efforts need to be made at at least three levels, including increasing security co-operation; direct and permanent dialogue at the highest level between the leaders of the region; as well as continued support from the international community for the region.

Deputy Permanent Representative Ms.Albana Dautllari, on behalf of Albania, underlined that the efforts for the normalization of relations between the states are positive developments, but despite this, the challenges are very deep and active, as the security situation worsened by the terrorist threats. She further stressed Albania’s concern over the humanitarian consequences and called for unhindered access of humanitarian partners and the protection of women from sexual violence.

In concluding the Deputy Permanent Representative of Albania stated that the comprehensive strategy for resolving conflicts should include the concrete implementation of decisions to combat the exploitation and illegal trafficking of natural resources, the implementation of the Nairobi Declaration of 2019 on Justice and Good Governance, as well as supporting and implementing the programs for the repatriation and reintegration of ex-combatants.