Resolution on the situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the assassination of the Italian ambassador Luca Attanasio and his entourage

The European Parliament adopted by 669 votes to 4, with 17 abstentions, a resolution on the situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the assassination of the Italian ambassador Luca Attanasio and his entourage.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, ID, Greens/EFA, ECR and the Left groups.

The serious security situation in eastern DRC continues to deteriorate with approximately 120 armed groups vying for access to and control of natural resources, including minerals, and have been responsible for kidnappings, killings, torture and sexual violence.

On 22 February 2021, Luca Attanasio, Italian ambassador to the DRC, his driver Mustapha Milambo, and Vittorio Iacovacci, an Italian military police officer, were killed by gunmen during an attack on their convoy. The route they were travelling on was on a road previously designated safe for travel without a security team.

Parliament condemned in the strongest terms the killing of Luca Attanasio, Moustapha Milambo and Vittorio Iacovacci and called for an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murders to be conducted.

While condemning the human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law committed by security and defence forces, Parliament urged the DRC authorities to remove from their positions security force officers and other executive branch officials who have been reported by the UN and DRC and international human rights organisations as having been implicated in serious human rights violations. It called for the creation of a formal vetting mechanism as part of the broader security sector reform efforts, in order to ensure that that the most suitable candidates are hired and that security forces act in a manner consistent with international human rights and international humanitarian law standards.

The resolution also stressed the need to undertake further efforts to cut off financing for armed groups involved in destabilising activities through the illicit trade of natural resources, including gold or wildlife products.

Lastly, the EU should step up funding for the DRC in order to address the severe underfunding of the UN agencies working with local authorities and communities to protect civilians.