Joint Statement from the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG) on the Situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
#DRC conflict #Washington Accords #Doha process #ceasefire violations #ICG statement #UN resolutions #mediation #civilian safety
📌 Key Takeaways
- The ICG expresses deep concern over ceasefire violations in eastern DRC, including drone attacks endangering civilians.
- It urges all parties to recommit to ceasefires under the Washington Accords and Doha process and comply with UN resolutions.
- The group emphasizes there is no military solution and calls for a return to negotiations and inclusive inter-Congolese dialogue.
- It commends mediation efforts by Togo's president, the US, Qatar, and others, and supports establishing a ceasefire monitoring mechanism.
📖 Full Retelling
Office of the Spokesperson
Joint Statement from the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG) on the Situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Media Note
March 5, 2026
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, issue the following statement on situation in the eastern DRC:
Begin Text
The ICG expresses its profound concern regarding the continued and recent violations in eastern DRC of the ceasefires upheld by the signing of the Washington Accords on 4 December 2025 and the commitment in Doha on 19 July 2025 to a permanent ceasefire and a permanent cessation of hostilities. Such violations include the use of drones in military attacks which also pose an acute risk to civilian populations. 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.
We urge 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, including resolutions 2773 and 2808, and the full respect of territorial integrity. The ICG commends 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. We recall the importance of creating conditions for an inclusive inter-Congolese dial
🏷️ Themes
Ceasefire violations, Diplomatic mediation, Regional conflict
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Home Office of the Spokesperson Press Releases … Joint Statement from the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes on the Situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo hide Joint Statement from the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes on the Situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo Media Note Office of the Spokesperson March 5, 2026 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, issue the following statement on situation in the eastern DRC: Begin Text The ICG expresses its profound concern regarding the continued and recent violations in eastern DRC of the ceasefires upheld by the signing of the Washington Accords on 4 December 2025 and the commitment in Doha on 19 July 2025 to a permanent ceasefire and a permanent cessation of hostilities. Such violations include the use of drones in military attacks which also pose an acute risk to civilian populations. 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. We urge 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, including resolutions 2773 and 2808, and the full respect of territorial integrity. The ICG commends 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. We recall the importance of creating conditions for an inclusive inter-Congolese dialogue with all key Congolese stakeholders – a necessary element f...
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