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UN Security Council considers targeted sanctions against M23 in DRC

20 October 2012 02:33 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The UN Security Council on Friday expressed its intention to apply targeted sanctions against the leadership of the M23 armed group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), APA reports quoting Xinhua.

In a presidential statement issued by the 15-member Council, the Council "strongly condemned" the M23 and all its attacks on the civilian population, UN peacekeepers and humanitarian actors, as well as its abuses of human rights including summary executions, sexual and gender based violence and large-scale recruitment and use of child soldiers.

"The Security Council demands that the M23 and other armed groups including Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda ( FDLR) cease immediately all forms of violence and other destabilizing activities," said the statement.

It noted that the Council is considering to apply targeted sanctions against the leadership of the M23 and those acting in violation of the sanctions regime and the arms embargo.

The rebel group, known as M23, is composed of a breakaway faction of soldiers from the DRC’s national army. It recently seized seven towns in North Kivu province and intensified attacks on schools, hospitals, homes and other civilian targets.

The Security Council expressed its deep concern with the increasing number of displaced persons and refugees in North Kivu province since the M23 mutiny started in April 2012.

"It called on all parties, in particular the M23, to allow safe, timely and unhindered humanitarian access to the areas under the control of M23 and in the wider region in accordance with international law, including applicable international humanitarian law and the guiding principles of humanitarian assistance," said the statement.

The eastern province of North and South Kivu in DRC have witnessed increased fighting between government troops and the M23, which has displaced more than 100,000 people including many who have fled to neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda.

The Security Council "reiterated its strong condemnation of any and all external support to the M23" and "demanded that any and all outside support to the M23 as well as other armed groups cease immediately," it said.