The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting to address the escalating violence in Goma, DR Congo, where M23 rebels have displaced over 178,000 people. MONUSCO Deputy Vivian van de Perre reported on humanitarian crises and called for urgent action, emphasizing the need for humanitarian corridors and diplomatic solutions to prevent further suffering and violence.
The UN Security Council held its second emergency meeting within three days to discuss the rising crisis in Goma, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Head of the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), reported on the dire humanitarian conditions and underscored the pressing need for urgent international action to stop the violence between Rwandan-backed M23 rebels and Congolese forces, who are vying for control of the city.
Recent clashes have resulted in significant displacement, with over 178,000 individuals fleeing Kalehe territory after M23 seized Minova. This mass exodus has exacerbated the existing humanitarian crisis, with more than 34,000 individuals seeking refuge in already overcrowded internally displaced persons (IDP) sites surrounding Goma, intensifying pressure on its infrastructure.
Van de Perre noted that despite previous appeals from member states, the M23 and Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) launched attacks on Goma, leading to numerous civilian casualties and further displacements. The role of MONUSCO is pivotal as the mission provides protection and refuge to those fleeing the violence. However, the mission’s resources are becoming increasingly strained, as the Uruguayan Battalion has already accommodated approximately 1,200 Congolese soldiers alongside over a thousand civilians.
Safety concerns for UN personnel persist, with recent attacks resulting in damage to water tanks. MONUSCO bases have come under fire, affecting both personnel and property security. Injured peacekeepers have faced challenges during evacuation efforts amid ongoing fighting, although MONUSCO continues to facilitate medical evacuations.
As M23 and Rwandan forces move closer to Goma’s airport, the risk of weapon proliferation increases, with combatants blending into civilian populations. The surge in internally displaced persons (IDPs), family separations, and escapes from prison have left women and children particularly vulnerable to sexual and gender-based violence. Van de Perre urged for the protection of civilians and called for humanitarian corridors linking Goma, Minova, and Bukavu while pushing for the reopening of crucial airports.
She insisted that military solutions will not resolve the conflict and highlighted the necessity of resuming the Luanda Process facilitated by the Angolan Government to prevent escalating into a third Congo war. The call for coordinated international action to alleviate the Goma crisis was reiterated, emphasizing the need for prioritizing civilian protection and pursuing peaceful resolutions to end the suffering in the region.
The escalating crisis in Goma highlights the urgent need for coordinated international intervention to address the humanitarian and security challenges posed by the conflict. The ongoing violence has led to massive displacement and heightened vulnerabilities among the civilian population, particularly women and children. Establishing humanitarian corridors and pursuing diplomatic solutions are essential to mitigating further suffering and preventing a larger conflict in the region. MONUSCO’s operational capabilities are under severe strain, necessitating immediate international support and intervention.
Original Source: news.un.org
