In a statement, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, as well as the EU foreign policy chief, urged the M23 and the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) to cease their offensive in all directions and called for the urgent protection of civilians.

The G7 foreign ministers also called for an end to all direct and indirect support to the M23 and all non-state armed groups in Congo.

This offensive constitutes a flagrant disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC. G7 countries also condemned M23’s intention to continue expansion into South Kivu, the statement said.

The ministers said they deplore the devastating consequences of the renewed M23 and RDF offensive, worsening already difficult humanitarian conditions, killing numerous people and displacing hundreds of thousands of people since the start of the advance in January.

They called for a "rapid, safe and unimpeded" passage of humanitarian relief for civilians and reiterated that humanitarian personnel must be given assurances of safety.

The foreign ministers called on all parties to return to the negotiating table and "honour their commitments under the Luanda Process," urging the M23 to withdraw from all controlled areas.