Un Military Commander In The Democratic Republic Of The Congo(Drc) Is “Very Concerned About The Expansion Of M23” Rebels

In the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, a humanitarian truce is in place, but given the rebels’ territorial advances, the situation is still concerning.

As she reported to the Security Council on her assigned tasks, the Chief of the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) voiced serious concerns on Monday, July 8.

“The security situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has gotten worse, leading to concerning levels of violence and displacement of civilians. The rapid growth of the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) in North Kivu and its spillover into South Kivu, in spite of the FARDC’s several operations with frequent backing from MONUSCO and SAMIDRC, greatly concerns me.

Notably, Bintou Keita drew attention to the humanitarian crisis.

6.9 million of the 7.3 million displaced people in the DRC are located in the provinces in the east. Humanitarian aid distribution is being impeded by violations of international humanitarian law. The security of the displaced and local communities is seriously jeopardized by the frontlines’ increasing proximity and the armaments (heavy artillery) present in and surrounding displacement camps and spontaneous places.

Following the birefing of the 15-member body, the chief UN special representative briefed the media on the MONUSCO disengagement plan, which is scheduled to go into a second phase as soon as feasible. On June 25, the first phase came to an end.