The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is experiencing a worrying increase in violence due to the actions of the non-state armed group M23, which has triggered a new massive exodus of people in a region known for its mineral wealth. UN agencies have already issued warnings about the growing risk of attacks in Goma, the capital of North Kivu, which could have devastating consequences for the civilian population.
Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Office of Human Rights, has expressed deep concern about the situation. “Any such attack on Goma could have catastrophic consequences for hundreds of thousands of civilians, exposing them to human rights violations and abuses,” she said. Since the withdrawal of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Kivu in June 2024, peacekeeping forces have remained in North Kivu, where clashes continue between the M23, the Congolese Armed Forces, and other armed groups.
Sexual violence has emerged as a alarming issue within the conflict, with reports of women and girls being kidnapped and subjected to sexual slavery, many of whom have lost their lives after suffering abuse. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has reported that approximately 400,000 people have been displaced in North and South Kivu this year.
Matt Saltmarsh, spokesperson for UNHCR, has emphasized that the humanitarian crisis is unfolding without sufficient international visibility. Recently, bombings have occurred in internally displaced persons camps, resulting in tragedies, including the death of two children in an attack in South Kivu. The situation is worsened by the destruction of shelters and new forced displacements, while UNHCR staff try to provide assistance in extremely difficult conditions.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed alarm at the resumption of M23 offensives, making an urgent call to the group to cease their attacks and respect the ceasefire agreement. He has also emphasized the need for states with influence over those involved in the conflict to press for a halt to hostilities, pointing out that the local population is exhausted by the violence and suffering.
Living conditions for refugees are critical, with limited assistance options. The provinces of South Kivu and North Kivu currently host 4.6 million internally displaced persons, who suffer human rights violations, looting, and severely restricted access to basic services. The situation is dire, and the international community faces a pressing call to action to alleviate the humanitarian crisis affecting millions of people in this war-torn region.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
