Security Council meeting. UN Security Council: Crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo threatens the entire Great Lakes region Peace and Security
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is plunging into a deep crisis, with both the security and humanitarian situation deteriorating. Deputy Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix stated this at a meeting of the UN Security Council.
The M23 offensive in South Kivu has revived fears of wider regional escalation as the rebel group’s territorial expansion, creation of parallel administrations and weakening state presence lead to fragmentation in the country’s east. Lacroix.
Noting the diplomatic progress made through the Washington Accords as well as the Doha Process, Lacroix called for the implementation of resolution 2773 (2025).
The M23 offensive in South Kivu and the capture of the town of Uvira, with the supposed support of the Rwandan Defense Forces, provoked military escalation just days after the signing of the Washington Accords.
The Congolese armed forces, supported by the Burundian armed forces and the pro-government Wazalendo militia, engaged in large-scale fighting using heavy artillery and aircraft. These clashes resulted in military and civilian casualties, destruction of infrastructure and significant population displacement. Thousands of people have fled across the border into Burundi and Rwanda.
Lacroix spoke about the dire humanitarian situation: about 5.35 internally displaced people are registered in the country, more than 24 million people face acute food shortages.
The head of Doctors Without Borders, Javaid Abdelmoneim reported a collapse of the healthcare system and an acute shortage of medicines. Health facilities are being attacked.
He said that both armed groups and government forces are committing serious abuses, including killings, looting and sexual violence, with the vast majority of the victims being civilians.
Lacroix stressed that the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) continues to critical work to protect the population, despite severe restrictions.
“MONUSCO will continue to carry out its mandate with professionalism and determination. With the support of the [Security] Council, she is ready to fully contribute to the ongoing peace efforts,” Lacroix said.