Security ‘one of the most significant challenges’ in DR Congo, Security Council hears — Global Issues

“In the past weeks, the security situation in the eastern DRC has deteriorated seriously,” said Special Envoy Bintou Keita, noting that since October, the M23 rebel group has resumed hostile activities. enemy and extended control in North Kivu province.

Enhanced support

Reply, MONUSCO continued to provide operational, logistical and tactical support to both the Congolese armed forces and the national police in their confrontation with the M23 and other armed groups.

She said intense patrols were conducted in and around Goma to protect civilians and prevent the M23 from advancing further towards the city.

And the Delegation added more community warning networks in vulnerable areas.

Crime

The head of MONUSCO described allegations of “grave concern” about human rights abuses by M23 fighters in Kishishe and Bambo, Rutshuru territory, and in North Kivu, including at least 102 men, 17 women women and 12 children “were shot or killed with a blade. weapons”.

Furthermore, she continued, M23 fighters raped at least 22 women, destroyed four schools and occupied two others.

“I urge this Council to condemn these crimes to the fullest extent…[and] demand the immediate release of survivors who were prevented from leaving the area by M23,” she stressed.

“Those responsible for these and other crimes against civilians must be prosecuted at the national or international level.”

Crimes affecting UN operations

The deteriorating security situation also poses risks to MONUSCO’s operations.

The senior UN official referred to an armed attack on the Mission base in Minembwe, South Kivu, that claimed the life of a peacekeeper in September.

“I condemn this attack, the perpetrators must be prosecuted with the utmost determination,” she clarified.

An ongoing humanitarian crisis

Ms. Keita cited armed groups as the main reason why the Democratic Republic of Congo has the highest number of internally displaced people in Africa.

She continued: “An estimated 370,000 more people have been displaced and forced from their homes in the latest wave of conflict, involving the M23,” adding that violence between communities in the provinces The west has also resulted in the displacement of more than 50,000 people, mainly women and children.

“In this dangerous environment, and despite continued restrictions on access…humanitarian organizations continue to provide lifesaving services and indispensable aid,” continued the head of MONUSCO, calling on partners to “actively continue to support” humanitarian response and North Kivu response plans.

Diplomacy at Work

Senior UN official updated on enhanced regional initiatives in support of the Luanda Roadmap as well as progress made in the context of the Nairobi Process.

“Since April 2022, the Mission has provided political, technical and logistical support to the DRC-Kenya Joint Secretariat” to organize consultations between the Government and Congolese armed groups, Ms. speak.

Small Summit

Ms. Keita informed the ambassadors of a Mini Summit held last month in Luanda in which an agreement was reached on measures to resolve the situation in the eastern DRC, in which describe the operational role of MONUSCO, in collaboration with the East African Community (EAC) Force Area and especially verification mechanism.

“First and foremost, the M23 must cease all hostile activities and withdraw from the occupied areas according to the route outlined in the Final Communiqué of the Luanda Mini Summit,” she said. added that the DRC Government has formally requested MONUSCO to participate in the implementation of the Agreement. announcement.

“I reiterate the Delegation’s readiness to utilize the capabilities available to it to support ongoing regional peace initiatives…[and] looks forward to engaging further with the DRC Government and regional partners to define the Mission’s role in efforts to make the decisions made within the framework of Luanda and Nairobi a reality.” she concluded.