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UN-SG Discuss with Presidents of Rwanda and DRC on Escalating Violence in Eastern DRC

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UN-SG Discuss with Presidents of Rwanda and DRC on Escalating Violence in Eastern DRC

(3 Minutes Read)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke with the presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda regarding the intensifying conflict in the DRC. He emphasised the importance of Rwanda halting its support for the M23 (March 23 Movement) and withdrawing from the DRC, according to Stephane Dujarric, Chief Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General.

The M23 rebels occupy portions of Goma, the largest city of eastern DRC, while Rwanda has been denying allegations its troops were in the DRC, supporting M23.The spokesperson added that during the call with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Guterres emphasised the need to protect civilians in the DRC’s fighting. The UN chief said that he was deeply concerned by the escalating violence in the eastern DRC, and reiterated his strongest condemnation of the M23’s ongoing offensive and advances toward Goma. He called on the M23 to immediately cease all hostile actions and withdraw from occupied areas.

Dujarric also said at the briefing the situation in Goma remains tense and fluid. M23 forces are inside the city, and UN peacekeeping personnel and troops have largely been forced to shelter in their bases, he told reporters. Medical facilities in Goma are reportedly overwhelmed, and essential services have obviously been disrupted. He also said the M23 controls the airport, and armed clashes continue in multiple regions, including in Masisi, Rutshuru, and Nyiragongo, further displacing civilians.

He said there were risks of a breakdown in law and order in the city, given the proliferation of weapons. The UN mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, said it has seen credible reports of escapees from the prison in Goma, as well as looting by civilians. The movement of essential supplies and personnel is an urgent concern as hostilities complicate humanitarian efforts, Dujarric said. Non-essential UN personnel have been temporarily relocated from the south Kivu province capital city and the surrounding area. Protests in Kinshasa over the ongoing situation in the DRC have turned violent, with demonstrators setting fire outside of UN premises as well as targeting several embassies. Looting has also been reported in Kinshasa.

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The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the humanitarian situation in and around Goma remains worrying. Hospitals in Goma continue to be overwhelmed, struggling to manage the influx of wounded people. Two ambulances from a local NGO were targeted while attempting to evacuate wounded people. OCHA said its partners received reports of gender-based violence, and the looting of property, including several humanitarian warehouses and humanitarian and health facilities also struck in the fighting. Electricity and water supplies are still disrupted. The phone network is operational; the internet is not fully functioning.