UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -France will propose a draft resolution to the U.N. Security Council on Friday that aims to “increase the pressure on Rwanda” to withdraw its troops from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, French U.N. Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere said.
“I hope this resolution can be adopted soon,” he said, adding that he did not think the resolution would threaten any sanctions at this stage.
“What we need is a strong, clear message of the Security Council in the form of resolution, urging the current action to stop and urging withdrawal of the foreign elements, urging resumption of talks,” de Riviere added.
Once the draft is circulated to the 15 members, the council will then negotiate the language before a vote is scheduled. A council resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Russia, China, Britain or France to be adopted.
The French mission to the U.N. said later on Friday that in order to support mediation efforts, France was also in “close contact with its partners at the U.N. in New York to encourage a resumption of the dialogue between DRC and Rwanda, facilitated by Angola within the Luanda process.”
(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Susan Heavey and Alistair Bell)
