The humanitarian crisis in the DRC is escalating, with supply shortages, looting, and mass displacement. MONUSCO warns of depleting resources, while tensions with Rwanda intensify. Urgent international action is needed to prevent further devastation.
Vivian van de Perre, MONUSCO’s Deputy Special Representative, stated at an emergency meeting of the Security Council that supply convoys are struggling, and resources are depleting rapidly.
Rapidly Deteriorating Conditions Van de Perre, speaking via video link from Goma, highlighted damages to water tanks, generators, and vehicles in camps. “Many troops are facing critical shortages of equipment, including water, food, medical supplies, and blood. Fuel shortages have rendered generators inoperable, impacting communication systems,” she noted.
Looting and Weapons Proliferation The escalation of conflict has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. Van de Perre reported that MONUSCO’s warehouse at Goma airport had been looted, further reducing already limited supplies. “The courthouse in Goma has also been looted, and abandoned military depots are being ransacked by civilians, leading to the proliferation of weapons,” she emphasized.
Displacement Crisis and Human Rights Violations Once again, civilians are bearing the brunt of the conflict. Van de Perre noted that thousands have been displaced, families separated, and armed groups have become more active. Furthermore, the escape of prisoners from Goma prison has worsened the security situation. “This increases the vulnerability of women and children to sexual and gender-based violence,” she warned.
UN human rights monitors have documented an ethnically motivated lynching at an internally displaced persons (IDP) site in Goma in the past four days. “Journalists are also facing physical and verbal attacks due to their perceived ethnic identity,” Van de Perre added.
Calls for International Action The MONUSCO official urged the international community to take immediate action, calling for the establishment of humanitarian corridors. “Humanitarian corridors must be opened between Goma, Minova, and Bukavu. This will enable the delivery of essential supplies and ensure the safe movement of civilians,” she said.
DRC: "The International Community Remains Silent" The DRC’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, criticized the international community for its inaction. “In the past 48 hours, we have met twice, but what concrete results have we achieved?” she questioned. She highlighted that in January alone, 500,000 new internally displaced persons (IDPs) had been recorded in North and South Kivu.
According to Wagner, the Rwandan Defense Forces and their M23 allies have breached Congolese borders, occupied towns, displaced citizens, and established parallel administrations in violation of international law.
Rwanda’s Response Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ernest Rwamucyo, countered by accusing DRC forces of attacking Rwandan territory. “On January 26, the M23/AFC rebel group reportedly took control of Goma. In response, retreating DRC forces launched attacks on Rubavu, Rwanda, killing five civilians and injuring 35 others,” he stated.
Rwamucyo reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to peace. “Rwanda has always exercised restraint and sought dialogue with the DRC to address the root causes of insecurity in the region and along our shared border. We have the most to lose from the continuation of this conflict,” he emphasized.
Current Situation The humanitarian situation in the DRC has reached a critical level. If MONUSCO and international organizations do not intervene immediately, thousands of lives will be at risk. Amidst political accusations, the prospects for peace continue to fade.
Officials in Congo are hopeful that ongoing negotiations with the United States will yield a landmark investment agreement in critical minerals, alongside a peace deal with Rwanda to end a deadly rebellion in eastern Congo, by the end of June.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels issued identical statements on Wednesday pledging to pursue peace after more than a week of talks in Qatar, where violence and mutual distrust dominated the agenda.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has suspended former President Joseph Kabila’s political party and ordered the seizure of his assets over allegations of supporting M23 rebels in the country’s conflict-ridden east.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have withdrawn from the strategic town of Walikale, describing the move as a goodwill gesture ahead of planned peace talks with the government next week.
McLaren's Australian driver Oscar Piastri won the Spanish Grand Prix, marking his fifth victory of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The death toll from a quarry collapse in Indonesia’s West Java province rose to 19, with six people still missing, officials said on Sunday.
Ukraine has outlined its formal negotiating framework ahead of planned peace talks with Russia, set to take place on June 2 in Istanbul, according to a full document seen by Reuters.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said on Sunday that he expects President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to speak soon in an effort to resolve a growing dispute over critical minerals.
As Germany considers providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, military experts warn the move could enable Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow — a shift that could escalate tensions and draw NATO closer to direct confrontation.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
Taxi drivers across France are protesting government plans to cut payments for driving patients to medical appointments. These cuts are part of a broader effort by Prime Minister François Bayrou to save €40 billion in the 2026 budget and reduce the country’s large deficit.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
McLaren's Australian driver Oscar Piastri won the Spanish Grand Prix, marking his fifth victory of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The death toll from a quarry collapse in Indonesia’s West Java province rose to 19, with six people still missing, officials said on Sunday.
Ukraine has outlined its formal negotiating framework ahead of planned peace talks with Russia, set to take place on June 2 in Istanbul, according to a full document seen by Reuters.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said on Sunday that he expects President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to speak soon in an effort to resolve a growing dispute over critical minerals.
As Germany considers providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, military experts warn the move could enable Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow — a shift that could escalate tensions and draw NATO closer to direct confrontation.
McLaren's Australian driver Oscar Piastri won the Spanish Grand Prix, marking his fifth victory of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The death toll from a quarry collapse in Indonesia’s West Java province rose to 19, with six people still missing, officials said on Sunday.
Ukraine has outlined its formal negotiating framework ahead of planned peace talks with Russia, set to take place on June 2 in Istanbul, according to a full document seen by Reuters.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said on Sunday that he expects President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to speak soon in an effort to resolve a growing dispute over critical minerals.
As Germany considers providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, military experts warn the move could enable Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow — a shift that could escalate tensions and draw NATO closer to direct confrontation.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment