UAE expresses concern over DR Congo developments

The UAE has expressed its concern over the developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as an armed rebel group seized a strategic city in its eastern region, in the strongest recent escalation over the decades-long conflict. 

Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State, stressed the need to maintain the stability, security, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the DRC, and the importance of adhering to the ceasefire agreement signed between the DRC and Rwanda last August.

The official also condemned the killing of a number of international peacekeeping forces deployed in the region.

On Wednesday, the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels took over Goma, the largest city in the east, in the latest development in the conflict with the Congolese army.

Local leaders said over 200 civilians have been killed in areas captured by M23 rebels, as well as 14 members of a peacekeeping force.