UN calls for immediate peace in eastern DRC amid escalating violence

The UN chief has issued yet another appeal for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where escalating violence between Rwanda-backed rebels and government forces has left nearly 3,000 people dead, displacing hundreds of thousands more.
The fighting, particularly around the eastern city of Goma, has intensified in recent weeks, with rebels from the M23 movement capturing key areas, including Goma itself on 27 January. Speaking ahead of crucial regional summits, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the dire humanitarian situation, stressing that there is “no military solution” to the unfolding crisis. He also condemned the widespread human rights violations, including sexual violence, forced recruitment, and attacks on humanitarian workers. Despite a unilateral ceasefire declared by the M23 rebels, the Congolese government has dismissed it, citing ongoing fighting in other regions. Guterres will attend an African Union Peace and Security Council summit in Addis Ababa next week to discuss possible solutions for restoring stability in the Great Lakes region.
The M23’s territorial advances, reportedly aided by Rwandan forces, have worsened the humanitarian crisis, with many refugees having fled to neighboring Rwanda. International aid groups have also been targeted, with Swiss Church Aid confirming the deaths of three of its local employees amid the chaos. In response to the rising violence, the DRC’s military court has issued an arrest warrant for Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance that also includes M23 fighters, accusing him of war crimes for massacres committed in the North and South Kivu regions. Rwanda has steadfastly denied supporting the M23, despite UN reports suggesting otherwise. Most recent reports from multiple intelligence, military and diplomatic sources claim that “very significant” numbers of soldiers from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) have died in covert operations while supporting an offensive by M23 rebels in eastern DRC.