Continued violence and looting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are significantly hindering aid operations and escalating the humanitarian crisis, the United Nations (UN) reported.
A UN spokesperson provided an update on the situation, stating that clashes are ongoing in surrounding areas, including Sake, located northwest of Goma. Despite some signs of a calm security situation in Goma, sporadic shootings continue, and the overall humanitarian situation remains dire. “The mission’s priority right now remains the protection of its personnel, its assets, and the many civilians sheltering within UN premises,” Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said. He noted that peacekeepers are conducting patrols in Goma to assess security and deliver necessary supplies.
Meanwhile, in Kinshasa, the capital, the situation remains calm despite earlier calls for protests. Reports indicate empty main roads and closed supermarkets due to the high risk of looting, according to UN peacekeepers on the ground.
The UN also paid tribute to three peacekeepers killed in recent clashes. The fallen soldiers include Private Rodolpho Cipriano Alverez Suarez from Uruguay, and South Africans Private Mokote Joseph Mobe and Private Andries Tshidiso Mabele. The total number of peacekeepers injured during the latest M23 assault has now reached 22. Dujarric reiterated the UN’s stance that attacks on peacekeepers are not only unacceptable but could constitute a war crime.
As the violence continues, humanitarian aid efforts are severely impacted. “Looting and violence against humanitarian warehouses in Goma are continuing, preventing aid workers from responding effectively,” Dujarric warned. The escalation of fighting has left over 2,000 people injured, with several bodies remaining in the streets. Water and electricity have been cut off since January 26th, and the UN has called for the immediate restoration of these essential services.
Access restrictions continue to hinder relief efforts. The airport in Goma remains closed, suspending humanitarian cargo deliveries and staff rotations, while most of the roads connecting Goma to the rest of the country are also blocked. However, the border with Rwanda is open, allowing some additional humanitarian teams to enter.
The UN once again urged all parties involved to respect international humanitarian law and cease targeting civilians, as the situation in Congo remains critical.
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The 4th session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent began this week at the UN headquarters in New York, bringing renewed international scrutiny to France and the Netherlands over their continued control of several overseas territories.
Azerbaijan highlighted the mine contamination issue and its demining efforts at the 28th International Meeting of Mine Action National Directors and United Nations Advisers (NDM-UN28) held in Geneva.
Ukraine has initiated an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council and a special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council following Russia's deadly attack on Kryvyi Rih, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X. Meetings are scheduled for today.
Syria has welcomed a United Nations resolution aimed at investigating human rights abuses and improving the country’s record following 13 years of brutal civil conflict under former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to nearly three years in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine using poetry and graffiti.
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has called for closer military coordination with Tokyo, framing the alliance as crucial amid rising regional tensions and ongoing trade disputes.
Students in Serbia have rallied outside a police station as Belgrade University’s rector is questioned over support for anti-government protests.
OpenAI has unveiled a new option called Flex processing, an API service designed to provide more affordable AI model usage in exchange for slower response times and occasional resource unavailability.
The Russian rouble surged past 81 to the U.S. dollar on Thursday, marking a 40% increase since the beginning of 2025.
The Russian ruble has emerged as the top-performing currency globally in 2025, registering an impressive 38% appreciation against the US dollar since the beginning of the year, according to a report by Bloomberg.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
Several regions in Ukraine faced heightened alert on Palm Sunday, as reports of explosions and missile threats drew public attention and official responses.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 16th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to nearly three years in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine using poetry and graffiti.
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has called for closer military coordination with Tokyo, framing the alliance as crucial amid rising regional tensions and ongoing trade disputes.
Students in Serbia have rallied outside a police station as Belgrade University’s rector is questioned over support for anti-government protests.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov extended Moscow’s support for the ongoing indirect nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, offering to mediate or assist in any way that would be beneficial to Tehran and acceptable to Washington.
Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato strongly denied accusations that Japan manipulates its currency to weaken the yen, ahead of a highly anticipated meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent next week. Kato addressed the issue in the Japanese parliament on Friday, reaffirming that Jap
A Russian court has sentenced 19-year-old Darya Kozyreva to nearly three years in prison for protesting the war in Ukraine using poetry and graffiti.
The new U.S. ambassador to Japan has called for closer military coordination with Tokyo, framing the alliance as crucial amid rising regional tensions and ongoing trade disputes.
Students in Serbia have rallied outside a police station as Belgrade University’s rector is questioned over support for anti-government protests.
OpenAI has unveiled a new option called Flex processing, an API service designed to provide more affordable AI model usage in exchange for slower response times and occasional resource unavailability.
The Russian rouble surged past 81 to the U.S. dollar on Thursday, marking a 40% increase since the beginning of 2025.
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