Eastern DRC: International Contact Group urges government to set clear action plan and timeline for implementing FDLR protocol

The International Contact Group for the Great Lakes region, chaired by France, voiced concern over ongoing fighting in eastern DRC and the suffering of civilians. In a joint statement published on October 30, 2026, eleven countries and the European Union urged the parties to honor the Washington and Doha diplomatic initiatives and UN Security Council Resolution 2773, which calls, among other things, for Rwandan forces to withdraw and end their support for the M23. The group called on Kinshasa to publish a clear action plan and timeline for disarming, demobilizing and reintegrating FDLR groups. It also urged the parties to observe the ceasefire agreed in Doha on July 19, 2025, and warned that the growing use of drones is harming civilians and humanitarian workers.