United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has engaged in urgent discussions with the presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, addressing the rapidly escalating conflict in the eastern regions of the DRC.
According to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, Guterres emphasized the critical need for Rwanda to cease any support to the M23 rebel group and to withdraw any forces from the DRC territory. \"The Secretary-General obviously discussed the situation in the DRC, and he's been very clear both publicly and privately for the need for Rwanda to cease support to the M23 and withdraw from the DRC,\" Dujarric stated during a regular briefing.
The M23 rebels have occupied significant portions of Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC. Despite allegations, Rwanda has consistently denied any involvement of its troops in supporting the M23 within the DRC.
During his call with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Guterres underscored the importance of protecting civilians amid the ongoing hostilities. In a statement released earlier, the UN chief expressed deep concern over the escalating violence, strongly condemning the M23's offensive and advances toward Goma. He called for the immediate cessation of all hostile actions and urged the rebels to withdraw from occupied areas.
The situation in Goma remains tense and fluid, with M23 forces reportedly inside the city. UN peacekeeping personnel have largely been confined to their bases due to the insecurity. \"Medical facilities in Goma are reportedly overwhelmed, and essential services have obviously been disrupted,\" Dujarric reported.
Control of Goma's airport has fallen to the M23, and armed clashes continue in multiple regions including Masisi, Rutshuru, and Nyiragongo, resulting in further displacement of civilians. The proliferation of weapons has raised concerns over a potential breakdown of law and order within the city.
The UN mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, has received credible reports of prison escapes and looting by civilians in Goma. The movement of essential supplies and personnel has become increasingly urgent as hostilities hinder humanitarian efforts. Non-essential UN personnel have been temporarily relocated from the capital city of South Kivu province and surrounding areas.
In the capital city of Kinshasa, protests over the ongoing situation have turned violent. Demonstrators have set fires outside UN premises and targeted several embassies. \"Our peacekeeping colleagues also report that protests in Kinshasa over the ongoing situation in the DRC have turned violent, with demonstrators setting fire outside of UN premises – both the peacekeeping and some of our agencies – as well as targeting several embassies,\" Dujarric noted. Looting has also been reported in the city.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the humanitarian situation in and around Goma remains dire. Hospitals are overwhelmed, struggling to manage the influx of wounded individuals. Two ambulances from a local non-governmental organization were attacked while attempting to evacuate the injured.
Reports have emerged of gender-based violence, looting of property including humanitarian warehouses, and strikes on humanitarian and health facilities amid the fighting. Essential services such as electricity and water supplies are disrupted, and while the phone network remains operational, internet services are down.
Dujarric expressed hope that if calm prevails, aid workers will be able to resume their efforts. \"If the situation is calm on Wednesday, we expect aid workers to resume their efforts to respond to the enormous humanitarian needs,\" he said.
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UN chief speaks with presidents of Rwanda, DRC over conflict
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