The United States has warned that it "stands ready" to consider further targeted sanctions against the leaders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo rebel military group M23 and other armed groups and those who support them.
The warning came in the wake of the worsening security situation in the country, where the Congolese Revolutionary Army inflicted civilian casualties, attacks on the U.N. peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO), and significant population displacements.
Three people, including a small child and a woman, were killed and nearly two dozen wounded in military strikes during the fighting between the Congolese Army (FARDC) and the M23 rebel group in the eastern town of Goma on Thursday.
The United States has made an urgent call on the DR Congo and Rwandan governments to exercise restraint to prevent military escalation of the conflict or any action that puts civilians at risk.
In a statement on Sunday, State Department deputy spokesperson Marie Harf said the U.S. was alarmed by the escalating fighting between the M23 armed group and the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) in eastern Congo.
Harf added that Washington was also concerned by reports of shelling across the Rwandan border, including credible U.N. reports that the M23 had fired into Rwandan territory. The U.S. government urged the M23 to immediately end the hostilities, lay down their arms, and disband, in accordance with U.N. Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
"We commend the actions of MONUSCO to protect civilians in and around Goma. Attacks against U.N. installations and personnel are unacceptable. We are deeply concerned about evidence of increasing ethnic tensions in Goma and call on all parties to avoid any actions that could exacerbate such tensions," the statement said.
Washington reiterated its call for Rwanda to cease any and all support to the M23 and to respect DRC's territorial integrity, consistent with UNSC resolutions and its commitments under the Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework. The DRC government has also been urged to take all prudent steps to protect civilians and to take precautions that FARDC shells do not inadvertently land in Rwandan territory.
The United States urged MONUSCO and the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism to promptly and thoroughly investigate charges of cross-border shelling. All parties concerned are urged to facilitate access for humanitarian organizations assisting populations in need.
The U.S. made it clear that it fully supports the Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework signed by the DRC, Rwandan, and neighboring governments in February 2013 as the basis for a political dialogue to resolve the longstanding conflict in the region. "We also believe any political settlement of the conflict must include accountability for human rights atrocities committed by leaders of the M23 and other armed groups, including the FDLR."
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