Eastern DRC: France urges UN to pressure parties and sanction those obstructing peace

On 13 October 2026, Jérôme Bonnafont, France’s permanent representative to the UN, urged the Security Council to support regional initiatives and address the structural causes of conflict in eastern DRC. He condemned the illegal exploitation and trafficking of natural resources, which fund armed groups and deprive Congolese people of their country’s wealth. As hostilities continue, France called for greater pressure on parties that fail to meet their commitments and said it was ready to support sanctions against those obstructing peace. Bonnafont also stressed that international humanitarian law must be respected as the humanitarian crisis worsens and the DRC faces its 17th Ebola outbreak.