The UN Security Council addressed the escalating crisis in Goma, DRC, as the humanitarian situation worsens due to fighting between M23 rebels and Congolese forces. Deputy Head of MONUSCO, Vivian van de Perre, reported over 178,000 displaced individuals and stressed the need for urgent international action. The security situation at UN bases is deteriorating, making protection and evacuation efforts increasingly difficult. A diplomatic resolution is deemed essential to avoid further violence and suffering.
The UN Security Council convened an urgent meeting regarding the worsening situation in Goma, the capital of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Vivian van de Perre, the Deputy Head of the UN Stabilization Mission (MONUSCO), addressed the critical humanitarian crisis stemming from the fighting between M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, and Congolese forces. She called for immediate and coordinated international intervention to halt the hostilities and ease the plight of displaced individuals.
The clashes have resulted in significant displacement, with over 178,000 people fleeing Kalehe territory due to M23 control over Minova. More than 34,000 of these individuals have sought refuge in already overcrowded Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) sites around Goma, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian emergency and straining the city’s resources.
Ms. van de Perre reported on the continued aggression of the M23 and Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), which launched an attack on Goma despite previous appeals for restraint. These assaults have led to civilian casualties, further displacements, and exacerbated trauma in the affected populations. MONUSCO’s role in providing safety and shelter has become increasingly critical, as its bases are stretched beyond capacity with nearly 1,200 Congolese soldiers and over a thousand civilians seeking protection.
Security at UN bases is increasingly compromised, with reported mortar attacks resulting in damage to facilities, which raises concerns for the safety of personnel. Casualty evacuation has become particularly challenging due to ongoing conflict, although medical evacuations are being facilitated with the Southern African Development Community’s assistance.
The situation remains perilous; the M23’s capture of Goma’s airport and military escalation heighten the risk of arms proliferation as combatants may blend with civilians. This mass movement of people also raises the vulnerability of women and children to gender-based violence, necessitating urgent protective measures.
In her remarks, Ms. van de Perre urged all parties to prioritize civilian life and access to essential services, while calling for an end to sexual violence. She highlighted the tremendous suffering experienced by Goma’s population and urged the establishment of humanitarian corridors to facilitate aid and the reopening of vital travel routes.
She further stated that military action alone cannot resolve the situation and advocated for a diplomatic resolution through the resumption of the Luanda Process under Angolan leadership. Ultimately, she underscored the necessity for urgent international cooperation to address Goma’s crisis, emphasizing that the protection of civilians and efforts for a peaceful resolution must remain at the forefront of the response.
The ongoing violence in Goma requires immediate international intervention to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and protect civilians. The unprecedented displacement and increasing risk of gender-based violence highlight the urgency of establishing humanitarian corridors and resuming diplomatic negotiations. Military solutions alone are inadequate; the focus must shift towards achieving long-term peace and security in the region through cooperative efforts.
Original Source: news.un.org
