In a message for the 12th anniversary of the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement for peace, security, and cooperation in the DRC and the region, Dr. Denis Mukwege expressed deep concern over what he described as an unparalleled threat facing the DRC. For more than 25 years, he said, the eastern part of the country has been under continuous pressure from Rwandan aggression.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate stated that this ongoing crisis, fueled by the invasion of large areas of Congolese territory by a rebel movement supported by the Rwandan army, resembles an annexation. He pointed out the illegal establishment of parallel administrations in those regions, which he claimed violates both the UN Charter and international law.

He also criticized the lack of adherence to calls for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of occupying forces. On the occasion of the Framework Agreement’s anniversary, he reiterated that it remains the only peace accord aimed at addressing the root causes of armed violence and instability.

Dr. Mukwege emphasized the importance of reinvigorating the “Hope” Agreement. He noted that the Congolese government, regional countries, and the international community initially joined forces under this agreement to secure lasting peace in the DRC and the Great Lakes region. They committed to a range of actions, supported by national, regional, and international monitoring mechanisms, to build a long-term strategy for peace and development.

However, Dr. Mukwege lamented that the agreement’s promises remain unfulfilled. He attributed this failure to a lack of political will from Congolese authorities, the bad faith of destabilizing regional states, and insufficient diplomatic efforts from the agreement’s co-guarantors. He stressed that it’s not too late to act decisively.

He called on partner countries and institutions, particularly the co-guarantors of the Framework Agreement, to respond firmly to these blatant violations of international law. He urged them to adopt urgent measures to pressure the aggressors, halt the occupation, and prevent the crisis from escalating further.

He made it clear that words alone would no longer suffice and that it was time for concrete actions. He affirmed that, like all nations, the Congolese people have the right to self-determination and to live in peace.

Dr. Mukwege called for strong sanctions against those who break the Framework Agreement’s commitments. He also urged a suspension of military and security cooperation with all states and entities that have influence over the conflict parties but fail to ensure compliance with the agreement and immediate ceasefire calls.

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