–At UN Security Council, Liberia Says Military Force Alone Cannot End Eastern Congo Conflict, Urges Diplomacy, Respect for Sovereignty, and Stronger Humanitarian Protection
NEW YORK – Liberia has reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to finding a political solution to the worsening security crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), declaring before the United Nations Security Council that there is “no sustainable military solution” to one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts.
Speaking on behalf of the African members of the United Nations Security Council—commonly known as the A3—Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, His Excellency Ambassador Lewis G. Browne, delivered a unified continental position calling for African ownership of ongoing peace efforts, stronger protection for civilians, and renewed international support for diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the violence.
The statement was delivered during the Security Council’s 10185th meeting on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Friday, June 26, where the Council reviewed the deteriorating humanitarian and security conditions in the country’s eastern provinces.
Representing the A3—which comprises the Democratic Republic of the Congo Somalia and Liberia—the Liberian envoy emphasized that while armed conflict continues to inflict devastating suffering on civilians, lasting peace can only emerge through dialogue, regional cooperation, and faithful implementation of existing peace commitments.
“The A3 is convinced that there is no sustainable military solution to the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,” Browne declared before the Council. “Peace will not be secured by force alone. It must be built through dialogue, confidence, respect for sovereignty, and the faithful implementation of commitments already undertaken.”
Growing Humanitarian Emergency
The A3 expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security environment in eastern DRC, warning that ordinary civilians continue to bear the overwhelming burden of the conflict.
According to the statement, rising civilian casualties represent far more than statistics—they reflect the immense human suffering caused by years of violence, displacement, and insecurity. The African bloc said the worsening humanitarian toll serves as a reminder of the Security Council’s responsibility to support efforts that protect lives, restore stability, and create the conditions for a durable peace.
The A3 strongly condemned the continued violence perpetrated by armed groups operating in eastern Congo, including AFC-M23, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), CODECO, the Convention pour la Révolution Populaire, and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
The groups were accused of carrying out attacks against civilians, forced recruitment, summary executions, abductions, and other grave violations of international humanitarian law.
“Their attacks against civilians, forced recruitment, summary execution, abductions, and other grave violations are unacceptable and must cease immediately,” Liberia said on behalf of the A3, calling on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, precaution, and proportionality, while taking every feasible measure to safeguard civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Renewed Call to Respect DRC’s Sovereignty
A central pillar of the A3’s message was the need to uphold the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The African representatives reaffirmed the importance of fully implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773, alongside all relevant regional commitments aimed at restoring peace and security in the troubled eastern region.
The statement further demanded an end to all external support for armed groups operating inside the DRC and urged every party to engage in good faith toward what it described as “a political settlement that is credible, inclusive, and sustainable.”
Concern Over Sexual Violence
The A3 also expressed deep concern over documented cases of conflict-related sexual violence, stressing that accountability remains essential to ending the cycle of impunity.
Liberia commended the continued efforts of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in supporting Congolese authorities to protect vulnerable communities and assist survivors.
The statement emphasized that victims of sexual violence must receive protection, medical care, psychosocial support, and justice, arguing that lasting peace cannot be achieved without accountability for such crimes.
Humanitarian Situation Remains Dire
Beyond the armed conflict, Liberia warned that the humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo continues to worsen.
The A3 highlighted widespread displacement, growing food insecurity, deteriorating public health conditions, and persistent insecurity as placing enormous strain on affected communities and humanitarian agencies.
The statement welcomed ongoing efforts by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, working alongside the World Health Organization, MONUSCO, and other international partners, to strengthen disease surveillance, community engagement, clinical preparedness, and cross-border coordination in response to Ebola-related threats.
At the same time, Liberia noted that insecurity and restricted access continue to hamper humanitarian operations, calling for safe, rapid, and unhindered humanitarian access in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The A3 further stressed that international assistance should reinforce nationally led coordination and response mechanisms while ensuring aid reaches the populations most in need.
Liberia’s delivery of the A3 statement reaffirmed the African bloc’s united position that the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo demands a comprehensive response rooted in diplomacy, regional cooperation, and respect for international law. As violence continues to threaten millions of civilians across the Great Lakes region, the A3 urged the Security Council and the wider international community to back African-led efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace, protecting vulnerable populations, and preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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