Chinese envoy calls for lifting of arms embargo against DRC

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Friday called for the removal of arms embargo against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

According to multiple reports, armed groups such as the M23 Movement possess more sophisticated weaponry than the DRC security forces. This shows the negative impact of the Security Council's arms embargo on the security capability of the DRC government, which defeats the original purpose of the council in establishing the sanctions regime, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

During the recent visit of the Sanctions Committee to the region, the DRC community, once again, strongly demanded that the Security Council lift its arms embargo against the DRC. China supports the Security Council's lifting of the notification requirements for arms imports by the DRC government, he said.

For some time now, the DRC government has continued to advance reforms in key areas and continuously improve its governance, making positive progress in stimulating economic growth, advancing the 2023 electoral process, promoting local development and demobilizing armed forces. These developments are encouraging and worthy of recognition, he told the Security Council.

Meanwhile, the security situation in eastern DRC has not yet improved with the M23 attacks resulting in a large number of casualties and displacements, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and casting a shadow over regional security and development, he said.

"It is imperative to de-escalate the situation and restore stability as soon as possible. All armed groups, including the M23, should immediately cease hostilities, unconditionally lay down their weapons, withdraw from the occupied areas and engage in political dialogue and the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process," he said.

Regional countries are a security community and parties concerned should, on the basis of respecting each other's interests and concerns, resolve their differences through dialogue and consultations as soon as possible and eliminate security threats through a combination of measures, said Geng.