U.S. Representative Chris Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Chair of its Africa Subcommittee, issued a statement regarding the recent violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Smith expressed concern over "the recent escalation of violence in the eastern portion of the Democratic Republic of the Congo," which has resulted in significant displacement and could potentially lead to a larger conflict involving multiple parties. He urged DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame to "agree to an immediate ceasefire" and to engage with the Luanda Process for peaceful resolution.
He emphasized that "all perpetrators must be held accountable" for human rights abuses predominantly affecting women and children as detailed in the Final Report of the Group of Experts on the DRC. Smith acknowledged those grieving lost lives among Congolese victims, UN Peacekeepers, and South African Development Community troops.
The Congressman highlighted that "the U.S. should press upon President Tshisekedi" to address governance issues, respect constitutional term limits, and consider civil society's peaceful voices working towards stability. Additionally, he expressed his intention to collaborate with "the new Trump Administration" to counteract threats posed by Islamist Allied Democratic Forces linked to ISIS exploiting current conflicts.
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