New York: Pakistan has urged the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda to demonstrate political will, genuine commitment, and cooperation in implementing UN Security Council resolutions for lasting peace and stability in the region. Delivering a statement during a Security Council briefing on the situation in the DRC, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad called on both parties to return to diplomacy without preconditions to achieve lasting peace.

According to Radio Pakistan, Ambassador Ahmad acknowledged the Security Council's focus on the situation in Eastern DRC, where M23's military offensive, with external support, has threatened peace and security, disrupted civilian lives, and worsened the humanitarian situation, thereby increasing the risk of a wider escalation in the Great Lakes region.

Ambassador Ahmad also expressed Pakistan's appreciation for MONUSCO peacekeepers working under extremely difficult conditions. He emphasized that MONUSCO should be allowed to fulfill its mandate without restrictions and demanded accountability for those obstructing MONUSCO or endangering peacekeepers.

The Pakistan UN Ambassador-designate urged all sides, particularly M23, to engage sincerely with dialogue facilitators, stating that African-led processes provide the appropriate framework for addressing the complex historic and ongoing factors, including legitimate security concerns of all parties involved.