The foreign ministers of the world's seven largest democratic economies grouped in the so-called G7 have condemned Rwanda and the M23 rebel group for their armed actions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a communiqué issued after their meeting in Quebec, Canada, last Friday (14), the ministers ignored the Kigali government's declarations that it is not directly involved in the conflict and "condemned the M23 offensive, supported by Rwanda in the east of the DRC and the violence, displacement and serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law resulting from it".

"This offensive constitutes a flagrant disregard for the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo," says the statement quoted by VOAHe added that the ministers "reiterated their call for the M23 and the Rwanda Defense Force to withdraw from all controlled areas".

The leaders of the world's seven largest economies "called on all parties to support mediation led by the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, to promote accountability for human rights abuses committed by all armed actors, including M23 and the FDLR, and to commit to a peaceful and negotiated resolution of the conflict, including the meaningful participation of women and youth."

The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) operate within the DRC and are accused by Kigali of being formed by members of the Hutu ethnic group, who were involved in the genocide of the Tustis in Rwanda in 1994.

The statement comes a few days before Luanda hosts the first direct meeting between representatives of the DRC government and M23.

The Kinshasi government had so far refused to negotiate directly with the M23, considering it to be a group completely controlled by Rwanda.

(Photo DR)