There can be no military solution to the conflict plaguing the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the U.S., EU, UK, Switzerland, and others have warned.
This is contained in a ‘Joint Statement from the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG)’ on the situation in the eastern DRC.
ICG members consist of the Governments of the United States of America, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, chaired by Sweden.
The ICG expressed its profound concern regarding the continued and recent violations in eastern DRC of the ceasefires upheld by the signing of the Washington Accords on December 2025.
The group also said it was concerned the commitment in Doha in July 2025 to a permanent ceasefire and a permanent cessation of hostilities have continued to be violated.
“Such violations include the use of drones in military attacks which also pose an acute risk to civilian populations, the ICG said.
“All parties involved should urgently and unequivocally recommit to ceasing the hostilities and return to negotiations.
“There can be no military solution to the conflict,” the group stressed.
It urged all parties to fully implement their obligations and commitments made under the Washington Accords and the Doha process and to comply with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The resolutions include resolutions 2773 and 2808, and the full respect of territorial integrity.
The ICG commended the ongoing mediation by the AU-appointed mediator, Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Council of the Republic of Togo, and the Panel of Facilitators, as well as the crucial mediation conducted by the US and Qatar.
“We welcome the efforts by Qatar, the ICGLR and MONUSCO to establish a ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism.”
The group recalled the importance of creating conditions for an inclusive inter-Congolese dialogue with all key Congolese stakeholders.
ICG said this was a necessary element for durable peace in the DRC, and welcomed the consultations undertaken by the Republic of Angola.
“We stand ready to support these efforts,” the group pledged.
The ICG called on all parties to honour their obligations to respect international humanitarian law and to ensure full, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to enable critical assistance to those in need.
“We welcome positive steps forward such as the commitments by governments and actors in the region to improve and facilitate humanitarian access”.
The steps included the visit of EU Commissioner; the reopening of the border between the DRC and Burundi.
Other steps were the use of the Goma airport during the recent visit to Goma by MONUSCO Interim Head and Special Representative of the Secretary-General van de Perre.
ICG said the step should lead to the sustained reopening of the Goma airport for humanitarian flights.
“The ICG further calls on parties to stop incitement to hatred, discrimination or violence, including against Rwandophone minorities, and other actions that gravely endanger civilian populations and social cohesion.”
