Bintou Keita, UN special representative of the secretary-general for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has expressed regret at the security situation in the eastern part of the country.

Ms Keita, while briefing the Security Council on Monday, said the security situation in the country has resulted in alarming levels of violence and widespread civilian displacement.

Ms Keita informed the Security Council of an attack on the residence of a Congolese politician, during which two police officers were killed.

Ms Keita, who also heads the UN peacekeeping mission in the country (MONUSCO), expressed grave concern over the rapid growth of the armed group Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) in North and South Kivu provinces.

In the last two weeks, the group has overtaken strategic locations in North Kivu, including Kanyabayonga, Lubero, and Rutshuru territories.

During their latest attack, M23 and its supporters burned several DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) bases, causing further displacement and exacerbating an already catastrophic humanitarian and human rights situation.

Other M23 attacks have killed and injured several civilians and worsened community tensions, Ms Keita said, warning that “the rapidly escalating M23 crisis carries the very real risk of provoking a wider regional conflict.”

Ms Keita also reported a rise in cases of sexual and gender-based violence, with 122,960 cases recorded in 2023, an increase of three per cent from 2022.

Female victims, including girls, accounted for almost 90 per cent of all cases, with incidents of sexual violence against children increasing by 40 per cent.

“This is solely the tip of the iceberg, as many cases remain unreported,” she said, warning that 2024 could see even higher numbers of gender-based violence.

The UN official further informed the Security Council that the DRC was facing one of our times’ most severe, complex, and neglected humanitarian crises.

“The escalating violence in the east continues to trigger massive population displacements, exacerbating an already dreadful humanitarian situation,” Ms Keita said.

About 7.3 million people in the country are displaced, with the majority in the east.

Humanitarian efforts face complex challenges due to the proximity of conflict frontlines and the presence of heavy weapons around displacement camps, she said.

Ms Keita called on Member States and regional organisations to strengthen their engagement towards political and regional solutions to reduce humanitarian suffering.

She urged them to recommit to addressing the root causes of the conflicts driving the dramatic increase in humanitarian needs. 

(NAN)