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Allow me to begin by thanking SRSG Martin Kobler, Special Envoy Mary Robinson, and Major General Joao Manuel Gonçalves Louren for their briefings today and for all their dedicated work aimed at advancing peace, stability, and security in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the region. Recent developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo offer a window of opportunity and a sense of difference in the region, from improving economic growth to progress in tackling armed groups, including defeat of M23 and actions against ADF. It is paramount that the DRC should continue its efforts to tackle the multiple challenges, in a determined manner, together with regional and international partners, and that the momentum of implementing the framework agreement is maintained.

Continued close cooperation among countries of the Great Lakes region and an increased sense of national and regional ownership are key to sustain progress. We commend the efforts undertaken by the regional organizations, in particular the International Conference of the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU).

Support for reforms, stability and democratic development of DRC is in the interest of the entire region. It is even more important as the country is approaching an electoral cycle leading up to the general elections in 2016. It is essential to ensure that the electoral processes are peaceful, transparent, and fully inclusive, with a clear calendar and in accordance with relevant constitutional provisions. We recognize the role of MONUSCO's good offices in the preparation for these elections.

Mr. President,

Even as we welcome the encouraging signs of progress in DRC, we have to bear in mind that the country continues to face significant challenges. Its security situation continues to be affected by the operation of some 40 armed groups, especially in eastern DRC, with great consequences for local populations, including massive displacements.

While the overall IDP numbers have decreased, we remain seriously concerned about the man-made humanitarian crisis in Katanga, where IDP numbers have seen an alarming growth. It is crucial to ensure that protection efforts and humanitarian aid in the region are adjusted in accordance to the reality on the ground.

We welcome the efforts that led to the termination of M23 and the important actions undertaken jointly by MONUSCO and the FARDC, over the recent months, including against ADF-Nalu. These advances offer a window of opportunity to extent and strengthen state authority in areas freed from armed groups.

At the same time, the unconditional and voluntary disarmament of FDLR remains of key importance. It must be credible and time bound, carried out within the shortest possible timeframe, involving the FDLR leadership, and including formal handover of all vacated territories. We stress the importance of joint involvement of ICGLR and SADC in these processes. As noted in the SG report, should the voluntary process of FDLR disarmament prove unsuccessful, military operations against it remain an option.

My delegation stresses the importance of accelerating the implementation of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration as well as the security sector reform. The technical committee for army reform established in April this year should establish a work plan and proceed with its implementation without any delay.

Broader reforms aimed at strengthening public finance management, combatting corruption, consolidating state structure and presence across the country, respect for the rule of law, justice and accountability are required to anchor the delicate progress achieved. My delegation notes the concerns expressed in SG's report regarding the slow implementation of the 100 priority recommendations.

Long term stability inevitably hinges on addressing the root causes of the conflict. Ownership and management of land and natural resources are often at the core of conflict. Transparency and accountability for the extraction and management of natural resources must be ensured. Combating illegal logging, illegal extraction of natural resources as well as poaching and illicit ivory trade, and disrupting the chains of illegal trade in such resources must be tackled with resolve and determination.

We welcome the actions undertaken by DRC with an aim to increasing transparency of the supply chains of natural resources as well as MONUSCO’s assistance to this effect. We are pleased that DRC has obtained full membership of the Executive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

Mr. President,

Safeguarding peace and security requires addressing the issues of justice and accountability. The people of DRC have suffered badly and continue to suffer from persistent human rights violations, including abductions, killings, expulsions, child recruitment, sexual violence and rape.

MONUSCO’s determination to enhance the protection of civilians through a more mobile, flexible and robust approach and the mission's eastward reconfiguration have already yielded results and remain key for ensuring effective PoC. We welcome reinforced mission-level presence in Goma, hoping this will prove to be an effective deterrent against would be perpetrators of HR abuses and violations. At the same time we note that putting an end to impunity and ensuring accountability constitutes another key element of deterrence.

We welcome the recent appointment by President Kabila of the Special Representative on sexual violence and recruitment of children Ms. Jeanine Mabunda Lioko and hope her mandate will be strong enough to effectively combat these abhorrent crimes. A lot remains to be done in this respect. As noted in SG’s report, so far the military court managed to deliver only two rape convictions despite the very large numbers of such crimes in general and an overwhelming evidence of mass rapes in Minova. Denying justice to those who have suffered such abhorrent crimes is victimizing the victims once again.

We call on the Congolese authorities to step up their efforts aimed at ensuring accountability and justice for the various abuses and crimes that the Congolese people have endured. Specifically, we welcome the steps taken by the Congolese Government to implement the Action Plan to prevent child recruitment and tackleother grave violations against children. As the SG report notes, five FARDC and one PNC elements were convicted by the Bukavu military court for rape of children.

We encourage DRC authorities to continue their efforts pursuing justice for child recruits and child victims. We also stress the importance of an expeditious implementation by the Government of DRC of the provision on children’s’ birth registration system.

Ensuring accountability for gross human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the DRC is paramount for restoring confidence in state institutions and sustain peace efforts.

I thank you.