Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission, released the statement following renewed fighting in the Great Lakes region, particularly in South Kivu, where rebel forces seized the city of Uvira and shells landed in Burundi’s Cibitoke Province as clashes spilled across the border.

He expressed deep concern over attacks on civilians, saying they undermine the peace process launched in Doha between AFC/M23 representatives and the Congolese government, as well as the Washington D.C. agreement signed by Presidents Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi of the DR Congo.

Youssouf urged all sides to exercise restraint and prioritise a political solution through dialogue.

He also extended solidarity to civilians affected by the new wave of fighting, both in the DR Congo and in Burundi.

The statement stressed that the African Union remains firm in its position that respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states in the Great Lakes region is crucial for lasting peace.

Youssouf condemned any attempts to establish parallel governance structures in areas controlled by AFC/M23 alongside the official government of the DR Congo.

He further called on regional countries to respect the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement and the non-aggression pacts signed by defence ministries of member states of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).

Youssouf affirmed that the African Union is ready to work with countries in the region to help identify a lasting solution to insecurity in the Great Lakes.