Morocco reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the core principles of state sovereignty, national unity, territorial integrity, good neighborliness, and non-interference during a meeting of the African Union’s (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) on Tuesday, as the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to escalate.
Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said that Morocco stands firmly behind the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all African states, with particular focus on the DRC amid the current violence.
In his address, delivered by Morocco’s Ambassador to the AU, Mohamed Arrouchi, Bourita reiterated Morocco’s long-standing opposition to separatism. He condemned the destabilizing actions of armed groups that jeopardize the unity of states, Morocco’s Press Agency (MAP) reported.
The statement comes as clashes intensify in eastern DRC between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel group, which reportedly receives support from Rwanda, according to multiple UN reports. The fighting has already displaced at least 500,000 people and threatens to destabilize the entire region further.
The United Nations reports that between 3,000 and 4,000 Rwandan soldiers and M23 fighters have made significant advances in North Kivu province, encircling Goma— a city home to over one million residents, plus another million displaced people.
The conflict has caused severe casualties, including the deaths of thirteen foreign soldiers, three of whom were UN peacekeepers. The violence has forced at least 500,000 civilians to flee, exacerbating DRC’s already dire humanitarian crisis.
Bourita also highlighted Morocco’s commitment to principles of good neighborliness, mutual respect, and constructive dialogue, warning that the region’s future hangs in the balance. He said history would remember those who pursued wisdom during this critical time.
In addition, Morocco reiterated its strong support for ongoing peace efforts led by the United Nations and the African Union to restore stability and promote development in the region. Bourita urged collective action to support the mediation efforts spearheaded by Angolan President João Lourenço under the Luanda framework, a crucial initiative towards resolving the crisis.
Morocco also commended regional organizations, including the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), for their efforts to reach a lasting solution to the conflict.
The regional initiatives, in addition to continued support from international partners, need the full backing of the African Union and the UN, Bourita added. He acknowledged the sacrifices of peacekeepers, including Morocco’s contingent of Blue Helmets, who remain committed to peace and stability in the DRC.
Bourita also sounded the alarm on the growing number of internally displaced people in eastern DRC and strongly condemned the grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by armed groups. He urged all parties to exercise restraint and immediately halt hostilities to de-escalate the violence.