New York, USA – The United Nations has warned of a worrying and dangerous deterioration in the security and humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
It also called for urgent international action to contain the crisis.
This would prevent further suffering for the population.
Military escalation and expansion of the fighting
The United Nations confirmed during a briefing to the Security Council that eastern Congo is witnessing a significant escalation in military operations.
Clashes are also widening between government forces, supported by local militias,
and armed alliances including the M23 Movement and other groups.
The briefing noted the increased use of heavy weapons and attack drones,
particularly in the provinces of North and South Kivu and Ituri.
This, in turn, foreshadows a further deterioration in security.
Worsening humanitarian crisis
United Nations official Viviane van de Peirre warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis,
with the number of internally displaced persons rising to approximately 6.4 million.
At the same time, millions of people are suffering from severe food shortages.
She projected that some 26.6 million people will face food insecurity in 2026.
In addition, hundreds of violations against civilians have been recorded.
Most of these violations targeted women and girls, reflecting the gravity of the humanitarian situation.
Diplomatic efforts and attempts at de-escalation
The United Nations welcomed the commitment of the governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo
and Rwanda to continue implementing international agreements, including the Washington Accords.
It also supported diplomatic efforts through regional initiatives such as the Doha Process and the African Union’s efforts.
The MONUSCO mission affirmed its continued work.
It is focusing on protecting civilians and strengthening early warning systems in cooperation with government forces.
This aims to mitigate the impact of the escalating crisis.
