WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, and Assistant Majority Leader Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), a member of the Subcommittee, welcomed the declaration by the M23, a rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), that the group will lay down its arms and pursue its objectives through political means.  The M23 declaration came after months of negotiation with the government of the DRC and other regional actors, and a recent series of military defeats.

“We welcome the declaration by the militia group known as M23 ending the violent attacks that have terrorized hundreds of thousands in the eastern DRC. This is an important step that demonstrates the value of the intensified commitment to ending conflict in the Great Lakes region made by the signatories to the February 2013 Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework agreement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United States government. However, it is just a first step toward a sustainable solution to a conflict that has brought widespread human suffering and economic devastation to the eastern Congo. It is critical that the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 follow through on their commitments and that the countries and people of the region engage in ongoing dialogue to address the full range of issues that fuel conflict in the region. In addition, we renew our call that neighboring nations cease all support of armed groups and support the Framework agreement as a vehicle towards a lasting peace.” 

The eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo is a mineral rich area where political and ethnic conflict within the Congo and with eastern neighbors has played out for more than two decades. Since the 1990s, an estimated 5,000,000 people have died due to repeated cycles of conflict, lack of governance, and atrocities, particularly those in North and South Kivu provinces, and since the beginning of 2012 more than 2,000,000 people have been displaced.  

Senators Durbin and Coons led an amendment to the 2013 Defense Authorization that became law imposing a visa ban and asset freeze on those supporting M23. They have also led efforts to prevent proceeds from the sale of conflict minerals from supporting groups perpetuating the region's violence.