U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Urges Ceasefire in DRC in Call with Kagame

Washington, D.C. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Tuesday had a phone conversation with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, expressing deep concern over the escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The discussion focused on the recent fall of Goma to the M23 armed group, which is widely reported to have backing from Rwanda.

Secretary Rubio emphasized that the United States is gravely troubled by the worsening violence and instability in the region. He called for an immediate ceasefire and stressed the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations involved.

Rubio reiterated the U.S. commitment to achieving a lasting peace in the region, one that addresses security concerns while fostering the conditions for a robust and thriving regional economy. The Secretary underscored the need for all parties to engage in dialogue and work toward a resolution that ensures stability and prosperity for the people of the Great Lakes region.

The call comes amid growing international alarm over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in eastern DRC, where thousands have been displaced by the conflict. The United States continues to advocate for a peaceful resolution and remains engaged with regional partners to de-escalate tensions and promote long-term stability.

Meanwhile Amb Dorothy Shea Charge d’Affairs ad interim in New York expressed US’ condemnation of the seizure of Gina and argued council to consider measures to halt territorial advances by Rwandan troops and M23.

full statement:

We stand in firm support of the Congolese people and of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC and urge Rwanda to respect the same.

At the same time, we are watching with concern and deplore the destruction of diplomatic facilities in Kinshasa and call on the DRC government to respect its obligations to protect diplomatic premises and personnel.

We call for an immediate ceasefire and end to this fighting. Rwanda must withdraw troops from the DRC.

Rwanda and the DRC must return to the negotiating table and work toward a sustainable, peaceful solution.

We remain deeply concerned about the human rights abuses, displacement, and other impacts on Congolese civilians suffering the brunt of this fighting.

Civilians, including the growing number of IDPs and refugees in Sake, Goma, and beyond, must be protected.

More than ever, humanitarian actors must be allowed to operate freely and deliver life-saving aid. The rights of all Goma’s inhabitants, including former combatants, must be respected.

We are similarly concerned that M23’s and Rwanda’s ongoing advances are opening up a bloody new front to this conflict in South Kivu, which no longer benefits from the roles MONUSCO assumed in the past to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian assistance.

We must not allow this violence to spiral into a wider regional conflict, which would incur a horrific human toll.

We mourn all the Congolese who have lost their lives in this fighting.

We also extend heartfelt condolences to the countries and families of UN peacekeepers and SAMIDRC troops lost during these attacks.

We applaud MONUSCO for its commitment to protect civilians and the bravery and professionalism demonstrated by peacekeepers in recent weeks.

As we have said before, Rwanda’s support to M23 remains wholly at odds with its robust support to UN peacekeeping.

Rwanda said on Sunday that it means no harm to MONUSCO. But three peacekeepers have been killed with many more injured.

Additionally, UN and humanitarian personnel, as well as civilians, are endangered by Rwanda’s ongoing use of GPS interference and deployment of advanced weapons and systems.

Hope is not lost. There is an end in sight to this fighting and a path for regional dialogue. But the international community must act now.

Those unwilling to return to the negotiating table must face a clear and unambiguous response from the Council.

We must abandon the delusion of short-term military solutions and work instead toward a durable peace powered by regional economic arrangements for the Great Lakes’ vast mineral wealth, to ensure stability and prosperity for local populations.

Addressing historical grievances, ending ethnic attacks, and other roots of this conflict must be done through a process that has clear incentives and unmistakable accountability.

The international community has the tools in hand to end the fighting and build sustainable solutions to the eastern DRC conflict.

We must collectively marshal the will to leverage such tools – as the United States is fully prepared to do – or be prepared to accept unthinkable cost measured in human lives.

Indeed, as the United States observed at our briefing on Sunday, we will consider all the tools at our disposal in order to hold accountable those responsible for sustaining armed conflict, instability, and insecurity in the DRC.