This article is published in association with United Nations.

Watch the Security Council’s emergency meeting here:

https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/p/2503451/embedPlaykitJs/uiconf_id/49754663?iframeembed=true&entry_id=1_e8ei4gh2&config%5Bplayback%5D={%22audioLanguage%22:%22en%22}&config[ui]={%22locale%22:%22en%22}Today 12:59 π.μ.

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Here are some highlights from today:

• Bintou Keita, head of the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) briefed the Security Council earlier this afternoon warning of escalating violence and deepening humanitarian concerns
•  Huang Xia, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region, also briefed the Council, warning that the crisis could spill over through the region as “history is repeating itself”
• Bruno Lemarquis, UN humanitarian coordinator for DRC, urged all warring parties to allow lifesaving relief supplies to reach the most vulnerable
• Volker Türk, the UN human rights chief called on Rwanda and M23 to protect all individuals in territory they control

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Today 12:59

UN Blue Helmets intensify efforts to protect civilians

The UN mission in DRC is working with Congolese armed forces to protect civilians in Djugu, in Ituri province along with its other Security Council-mandated responsibilities.

Find out more about MONUSCO here.

Security Council concludes emergency meeting

The Security Council president just gavelled close its third emergency meeting in a month on DRC and the deteriorating situation on the ground.

Watch the full briefing by MONUSCO chief Bintou Keita:

https://cdnapisec.kaltura.com/p/2503451/embedPlaykitJs/uiconf_id/56243812?iframeembed=true&entry_id=1_chptt6ua&config%5Bplayback%5D={%22audioLanguage%22:%22en%22}&config[ui]={%22locale%22:%22en%22}Today 12:51 π.μ.

Zimbabwe proposes five key priorities to resolve DRC crisis

Addressing the Security Council, Ambassador Taonga Mushayavanhu of Zimbabwe commended ongoing regional efforts, particularly within the frameworks of the Luanda and Nairobi processes, which are essential in addressing the escalating insecurity fuelled by the insurgencies of M23 and other armed groups.

Highlighting key priorities to restore peace, he called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and withdrawal of M23 from captured territory, including Goma and Bukavu. Foreign forces in DRC must also withdraw.

UNICEF

He further called for the protection of civilians and assurances for aid deliveries to ensure assistance reaches those in need and for ending the illicit exploitation and trafficking of natural resources.

“Addressing this root cause of conflict is critical to breaking the cycle of violence and fostering sustainable development in DRC,” Mr. Mushayavanhu said.

The Security Council must recognise that African-led peace processes offer the most viable path to a lasting solution in eastern DRC, he said, noting that supporting the full implementation and harmonisation of the Luanda and Nairobi processes is key to restoring stability.

In this vein, he urged the Security Council to reinforce these mechanisms and ensure that its interventions align with and support efforts led by African regional organizations.Today 12:35 π.μ.

‘What you reap is chaos’: Rwanda says arms flow fuels instability

Rwanda’s Ambassador Ernest Rwamucyo told the Security Council that DRC’s militarisation and arming of irregular groups had created a “lawless environment”, exacerbating instability in the region.

He condemned Kinshasa’s disengagement from regional peace processes, stressing that African-led solutions must drive efforts to end the conflict.

“When a State actor proliferates and distributes weapons to negative armed groups, what you reap is chaos,” Mr. Rwamucyo said, warning that weapons were being handed to children amid rising humanitarian needs.

UN Photo

He also denounced an incursion into Rwandan territory on 29 January by over 200 foreign mercenaries alongside the Congolese military, describing it as an existential security threat ignored by the international community. 

While welcoming the outcomes of the regional summit on 8 February that called for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid, he urged DRC to re-engage with regional mechanisms, adding that the international community must resist external militarisation and misinformation that is fuelling the crisis.Today 12:07 π.μ.

DRC minister complains of Security Council inaction

Speaking on behalf of the DRC authorities, Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, described examples of the thousands of violent deaths and wounded in Goma during the fighting and outbreaks of disease threatening many more. 

This, she said, is the result of the takeover of the city by a terrorist group, under the noses of a Security Council “which does not act”.

Ms. Wagner pointed out that regional African organizations – the African Union, Southern African Development Community and Economic Community of Central African States – have condemned the presence of Rwandan troops in the DRC. 

She also welcomed the UN Human Rights Council decision to open a commission of inquiry into rights violations in eastern DRC and a European Parliament resolution to suspend an agreement between the EU and Rwanda on the exploitation of critical raw minerals.

Nevertheless, only the Security Council can prevent new massacres and an expansion of occupied territory, she said, calling for robust measures to stop violence committed by M23 and Rwandan troops and “put a stop to a UN Member State’s support for a terrorist group attempting to overthrow a legitimate, democratically elected government”.

UN Photo

The Council must impose targeted sanctions on the commanders of the Rwandan Defence Forces and political decision-makers as well as impose a total ban on the export of minerals “falsely labelled as Rwandan”, which has fuelled the war in eastern DRC for decades, she said.

The senior politician called for the Security Council to immediately revoke Rwanda’s status as a troop-contributing country to UN peacekeeping missions and strictly monitor arms sales to the country.

While there have been three Council meetings in one month, with unanimous condemnation of Rwanda, a resolution has still not been adopted, she said. As such, DRC demands a resolution denouncing the occupation by Rwanda and calling for the removal of its troops from the country.

19 Feb 2025  

UK: Bukavu occupation ‘a breach of the UN Charter’

James Kariuki, the Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the UN, described M23’s advances as “an unacceptable violation of DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and a breach of the UN Charter”.

The occupation of Bukavu heightens the risk of a wider regional conflict, he warned, calling on Rwanda to withdraw its troops and raising the possibility of a review of all UK support to the country.

UNICEF

Turning to civilian protection and aid delivery, Mr. Kariuki underlined the importance of ensuring MONUSCO’s freedom of movement, adding that restrictions by the M23 and Rwandan Defence Forces are unacceptable, and attacks on MONUSCO could be grounds for UN sanctions.

Welcoming regional efforts to secure a lasting solution to the conflict, he urged DRC and Rwanda to engage in existing peace processes.

19 Feb 2025  

Russia pledges to continue de-escalation efforts

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia strongly condemned the actions of the M23 group, emphasising that attacks on peacekeepers are unacceptable under any circumstances. 

He called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of fighters of this illegal armed group from captured settlements and from the occupied territories of the DRC. He also called on Rwanda to respond to the relevant the demands of the members of the Security Council, as well as the African Union, for the withdrawal its military.

“The escalation in eastern DRC must stop,” Mr. Nebenzia said, stressing that there is no military solution to the crisis. 

“DR Congo and Rwanda must return to the negotiating table, reaffirm commitment to mutual commitments within the framework of the Luanda process and agree on how to stabilise the situation.”

UNICEF

Efforts must also address the root causes of the conflict, which has a long-standing and very bloody history, he said, warning that the current situation risks escalating through the region.

Raising several concerns, he pointed to the deteriorating humanitarian situation, violation of human rights and the suffering of the civilian population. 

Turning to the well-known, but deliberately neglected topic of activity in the DRC of private military companies from Europe, he said “we all saw that they surrendered weapons to MONUSCO peacekeepers” and how mercenaries have travelled to Rwanda.

For its part, Moscow will continue to facilitate de-escalation and recovery efforts to foster prospects for a diplomatic settlement, he said.

19 Feb 2025

‘Beyond time’ for strong response, US warns 

UN News

The United States Deputy Permanent Representative, Dorothy Shea, said the situation in DRC demands urgent action, stressing that it is “beyond time for this Council, the UN, and the international community to marshal a strong and unambiguous response” to M23 and Rwanda’s actions.

Ms. Shea extended Washington’s “full support” to MONUSCO and condemned M23’s seizure of Kavumu airport and the city of Bukavu, describing the group’s actions as “creating chaos under the guise of liberation or restoring order”.

She urged M23 to “immediately cease its offensive and withdraw” from all occupied territories and denounced the group’s threats against MONUSCO, recalling that orchestrated protests had previously led to the deaths of peacekeepers and civilians.

The US accused both M23 and Rwanda of repeatedly “ignoring ceasefires”, adding that “intense and sustained pressure is needed now”.

Ms. Shea reaffirmed the US’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DR Congo and called for the “immediate resumption of negotiations and dialogue”. She warned that the US stands “prepared to leverage all tools at our disposal” to hold those responsible for conflict, instability and insecurity to account.

19 Feb 2025  

France: ‘Risk of a regional war increasing each day’ 

UN News

France’s Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière told the Security Council that the “continued deterioration of the situation” in DRC has increased the risk of a regional war “each day”.

He condemned the M23 offensive, facilitated by the “active support of Rwanda” and called for the group to end its advance and withdraw alongside the Rwandan Defence Forces from territory it has seized. Mr. De Rivière also highlighted recent reports of summary executions of children, stressing that “this must end immediately”.

Condemning M23 attacks on MONUSCO peacekeepers, he underlined the need to guarantee freedom of movement and action and warned that attacks against Blue Helmets, civilians and humanitarian workers “may constitute war crimes”.

France reaffirmed its full support for MONUSCO, called for a ceasefire and the resumption of dialogue and stressed that regional processes remain key. The Security Council must provide a response “commensurate with the size of the issue”, he said, noting that France has proposed a draft resolution and hopes it will be adopted swiftly.