Violence Outpacing Diplomacy in Democratic Republic of Congo, United Nations Senior Official Warns amid Surge in Civilian Deaths
Meetings Coverage
Security Council
9985th Meeting (AM)
SC/16152
22 August 2025
Light of Diplomacy Dimmed by Rising Violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Delegate Tells Diplomatic gains fall short without a genuine ceasefire in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a senior United Nations official told the Security Council today, warning that the country is facing one of the most acute humanitarian emergencies worldwide.
Highlighting encouraging progress in recent months, Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Assistant Secretary-General for Africa in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, highlighted the signing on 27 June in Washington, D.C., of a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, facilitated by the United States, followed on 19 July by the signing of a Declaration of Principles between Kinshasa and the Congo River Alliance (AFC) and 23 March Movement (M23). She added that the Democratic Republic of the Congo's representative and AFC/M23 have been meeting again in Doha, to "make way towards a full-fledged peace agreement".
However, she cautioned, "the evolution of the security situation on the ground has not matched the progress achieved on the diplomatic front". The number of civilian casualties has risen dramatically. Humanitarian workers are risking their lives to provide limited assistance to a population whose needs continue to grow. Conflict-related sexual violence persists amid general indifference, while the forced recruitment of children continues, with thousands of children unable to go to school due to insecurity.
"Despite a relative lull in direct clashes, the parties continue to deploy troops and transfer weapons along the front lines," she stressed. In North Kivu, the conflict has escalated significantly since April. AFC/M23 has continued to make incremental territorial gains in Masisi, Walikale and Lubero Territories, capturing ground from local armed groups operating under the Wazalendo umbrella.
At least 319 civilians, including at least 48 women and 19 children, were killed by AFC/M23, backed by members of the Rwanda Defence Force, between 9 and 21 July in four villages in Rutshuru Territory, in North Kivu Province, she said, adding that these killings were "the harrowing result" of a military campaign targeting traditional strongholds of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). "During these operations, health centres and infrastructure have been destroyed, villages burned, crops confiscated and many civilians have been forced to flee or toil as labourers against their will," she added.
In both North Kivu and Ituri Provinces, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) continue to pose a major threat to civilians. One hundred and eighty-five civilians, including children, have been killed since the beginning of July. Hundreds have also been kidnapped over the same period. Following the Komanda massacre of 27 June, which claimed 43 lives, including 19 women and 9 children, ADF has continued to perpetrate killings daily. Between 11 and 18 August, in the Grand Nord of North Kivu alone, ADF killed approximately 50 civilians, including 7 women and 2 children.
Accordingly, it is paramount to strengthen coordination between the various peace initiatives under way, she observed, adding that the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) remains committed to leveraging its expertise in support of all ongoing peace efforts. She concluded: "At this critical juncture for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region, it is vital that this Council place its full weight behind current peace efforts."
In the ensuing discussion, delegates commended the ongoing mediation efforts of the United States, Qatar and the African Union, underscoring that "there is no military solution to the Great Lakes conflict".
Escalating Violence
Noting "an alarming increase in violence in eastern DRC [Democratic Republic of the Congo] that has resulted in scores of civilian deaths", the delegate of the United States stressed that "the killings perpetrated by the Rwanda-backed M23 against civilians in Rutshuru Territory and elsewhere are horrifying". On 12 August, the United States sanctioned four entities producing and trading conflict minerals in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. "Administrative control of the region must return to the DRC Government under a governance structure that is representative of the local communities," she stressed, underscoring the need to hold to account armed groups and other destabilizers for their egregious actions.
Also sounding the alarm over the deterioration in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, France's delegate condemned the "unacceptable" attacks by M23, CODECO and the Alliance Defending Freedom or ADF, including recent assaults on civilians and churches. He stressed that "this violence must end" and perpetrators must be prosecuted, while reiterating support for MONUSCO's mandate to protect civilians.
Adding to that, the United Kingdom's delegate voiced concern over reported violations by both M23 and Wazalendo groups and the rise in inflammatory rhetoric by both sides, urging the parties to show restraint, avoid further escalation and engage constructively in the peace process.
The representative of Sierra Leone, speaking also for Algeria, Guyana, Somalia, emphasized that, despite the signing of a peace agreement, "the security situation in eastern DRC remains deeply troubling". Citing atrocities from the Allied Democratic Forces in Beni, the Convention pour la Révolution (CRP) and Zaire militants in Ituri, and ongoing M23 attacks in Masisi, he noted that the conflict's toll includes "increasing deaths and injuries, mass displacement, hunger, disease, sexual violence and the destruction of civilian infrastructure". Amid repeated ceasefire violations, he called for "thorough and impartial investigations" to ensure accountability for perpetrators and for "a credible and robust verification mechanism" to monitor compliance with agreements.
Protection of Civilians, Lifting Restrictions on UN Mission
The horrifying, targeted attacks on the civilian population in the Ituri and North Kivu Provinces, as well as escalating violence in South Kivu, are a stark reminder that "peace in eastern DRC remains elusive", said Denmark's delegate. Civilians continue to pay the heaviest price in this conflict. Their suffering is amplified by recent deliberate, humanitarian funding cuts, restrictions on humanitarian access — including through the prolonged closure of the Goma airport — and the looting of humanitarian and medical facilities. Accordingly, she called on all parties to protect civilians and for all perpetrators to be held accountable, stating: "Justice is not optional."
In the same vein, Slovenia's delegate condemned the escalation of deadly attacks in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri. "We are appalled by the brutality of these assaults," she said, noting the shocking massacres documented in July in Rutshuru Territory, where at least 319 civilians were killed. Equally alarming were the attacks in Beni and Lubero in August, claiming over 50 lives. "These atrocities add to the already unspeakable suffering of millions," she said, commending MONUSCO's efforts in providing protection where possible and urging safe and unhindered humanitarian access.
"The light of hope — once beamed through dialogue and diplomacy — is now darkened by the shadows of stalemate," observed the representative of the Republic of Korea. He voiced concern over the increase in conflict-related sexual violence in the eastern part of the country, warning that "armed groups continue to use [it] as a tactic to assert control over this region". For its part, Seoul is committed to preventing such violence and building peace, including through its contribution of $8.6 million to relevant UN programmes.
The speaker for Greece expressed concern over M23's continued obstructions to MONUSCO's work, especially in the eastern part of the country. "Any continuing restrictions on uniformed personnel or the movement of supplies and vital goods are unacceptable," he asserted, adding that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes and perpetrators must be held accountable.
The Russian Federation's representative, meanwhile, underscored the need to "impartially draw conclusions" regarding MONUSCO's ability to comply with its mandate in the context of recent events in North and South Kivu. She further condemned the horrific attacks by M23 and ADF, which have caused hundreds of civilian casualties over recent months. "Millions of Congolese are tired of suffering and fighting for their lives daily," she stressed.
Support for Country's Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity
"The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC are not negotiable," said the representative of Panama, Council President for August, who spoke in his national capacity to demand the withdrawal of unauthorized foreign forces and urge all armed groups to cease attacks. Further, he called for accountability for war crimes, warned that "impunity cannot prevail" and urged the Council to consider additional sanctions, stressing that the Congolese people "deserve peace, security and dignity".
Also reaffirming support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo's sovereignty and territorial integrity, China's delegate emphasized that "only by rejecting force, enhancing cooperation and pursuing joint development can peace be preserved". Noting that "the humanitarian crisis demands urgent attention", he called for greater support to aid operations and the reopening of airports to deliver essentials.
"There is no military solution [to the conflict]," concurred Pakistan's delegate, underlining the need to tackle its root causes, particularly "the illegal exploitation of natural resources that fuels conflict".
For his part, the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said that, for far too long, the eastern part of his country has suffered under the aggression of the Rwanda Defence Forces-M23 coalition, which has displaced some 7 million people and created a humanitarian catastrophe. While welcoming the Washington, D.C., peace agreement and the Doha Declaration of Principles, he voiced concern over "Rwanda's sincerity" and its proxies' determination to breach these commitments.
Despite diplomatic efforts, the reality on the ground is alarming, he stressed. In July alone, more than 300 civilians, including women and children, were summarily executed in North Kivu by the M23 coalition. The UN's group of experts has clearly established Rwanda's military, logistical and operational support to M23. These crimes also bear an undeniable "ethnic dimension", he said, adding that civilians are being "targeted based solely on their ethnic background" in an attempt to fracture the Congolese social fabric.
To that end, he urged the Council to act decisively: strengthen the sanctions regime against M23 commanders and their Rwandan supporters, ensure full implementation of resolution 2773 (2025) and support the International Commission of Inquiry to identify and prosecute all perpetrators. "No peace process can survive impunity," he stressed, urging the Council to end this senseless war and bring lasting peace, not another "ephemeral truce".
"Today's session is taking place amid grave and utterly unfounded allegations against my country," countered Rwanda's delegate. On the alleged massacre of civilians in Rutshuru, he described the initial reporting of facts as "contradictory, vague and implausible". Only an impartial and independent investigation can provide the Council with a reliable set of facts, he asserted, voicing concern over the pattern of selective reporting of human rights matters in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, "where victims are painted as perpetrators, and vice versa".
He reiterated his country's support for the ongoing peace efforts, citing the Washington, D.C., and Doha processes — alongside the African Union coordinated framework — as "a unique opportunity to address the root causes of the crisis". The conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo directly affects Rwanda, both on the security and humanitarian fronts. Waves of violence and discrimination have pushed over 100,000 refugees into Rwanda, he said, adding: "Unfortunately, this is not spoken about."
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