La Via Campesina Southern and Eastern Africa calls for global solidarity in response to the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in North and South Kivu provinces. The M23 armed group has intensified its aggression, resulting in deaths, mass displacements, and violations of human rights, especially against women and girls. The organization demands a ceasefire, accountability for resource extraction, and international intervention to ensure peace and food sovereignty for affected communities.
On February 25, 2025, La Via Campesina Southern and Eastern Africa (LVC SEAf) called for international support to address the escalating armed conflict and deteriorating security in the North and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This unrest has been primarily driven by the M23 armed group, which has intensified its campaign against the government since late 2021, claiming territorial sovereignty.
The M23 has seized significant territories in eastern DRC, including Goma, the capital of North Kivu, exacerbating a proxy-conflict that reflects the shifting global power dynamics. As of January 2025, the violence has led to widespread death and displacement, with over four million people already living as refugees in the Kivu provinces.
The conflict severely impacts local peasants, who are being forced to abandon their homes and livelihoods, disrupting their agricultural activities. Women and young girls suffer extensive violence during this warfare, highlighting the dire need for security and the ability to maintain food sovereignty in the region.
In solidarity with the Confédération Paysanne du Congo and other affected communities, LVC SEAf urges all La Via Campesina members worldwide to advocate for peace, calling on their governments to support a ceasefire and facilitate the return of displaced families to their farms.
Furthermore, LVC SEAf demands corporations involved in resource extraction in eastern DRC cease their operations that finance the conflict. It calls upon the African Union, Southern African Development Community, and other regional bodies to denounce the violence and foster dialogue for sustainable peace in the region.
Finally, the organization urges the UN Working Group on Peasants’ Rights (UNDROP) to decry the violations against peasants outlined in various articles regarding their fundamental rights and initiate immediate interventions for ongoing conflicts, ensuring rural communities can access their livelihoods and fundamental rights.
The La Via Campesina calls for urgent international action and solidarity to combat the escalating conflict in the DRC, emphasizing the severe consequences for local communities, especially women and peasants. It highlights the need for a ceasefire, government accountability in resource extraction, and active engagement from international bodies to restore peace and human rights in the region, affirming the fundamental rights to food sovereignty and personal safety.
Original Source: viacampesina.org
