UN calls for end to violence in eastern Congo

The U.N. Security Council on Thursday called for an end to foreign support for the M23
rebels fighting in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The front-lines of the rebellion are now 30 kilometres from Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu. Congolese soldiers have been routed and several of the government troops have even joined with the rebel group. The central government accuses Uganda and Rwanda of supplying the M23 rebels, whose name comes from a 2009 peace accord they say was violated by Kinshasa. Both countries deny the accusations.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated their strong condemnation of the M23 and it attacks and reiterate their demands that the M23 cease immediately all destabilizing activities, including any advances towards the City of Goma,” said the UN statement. “The members of the Security Council urge the M23 and all armed groups to cease all forms of violence, including acts of sexual violence and the recruitment and use of child soldiers."

The statement also strongly condemned “any and all outside support to the M23.” Uganda is scheduled to host regional leaders from Sunday to Wednesday to discuss the conflict.

Listen: