Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, issued an urgent appeal on Thursday for an immediate cessation of the escalating hostilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The intense fighting pits the Congolese army against the anti-government armed group M23.
In a public statement, Mr. Türk expressed profound concern that, despite ongoing peace initiatives and agreements, relentless clashes persist across eastern DRC. These conflicts continue to claim lives, injure civilians, force displacement, and devastate essential livelihoods.
The eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo has endured over three decades of persistent conflict. Specifically, in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, the Congolese armed forces are engaged in fierce battles with the M23 armed group, which has seized control of extensive areas.
In South Kivu, the intensity of combat operations has notably increased since mid-May, coinciding with the official declaration of an Ebola outbreak in the neighboring Ituri province.
The High Commissioner’s office specifically highlighted “intense clashes” that erupted around the village of Mulima, located in Fizi, South Kivu, on July 4th and 5th.
Mr. Türk further implored both the Congolese armed forces and the M23 to immediately cease all further acts of violence and to work urgently towards de-escalating tensions. He also called upon both factions to implement tangible measures to safeguard civilians in Mulima and across the broader Fizi and Mwenga highlands region.
The High Commissioner emphasized that “the deployment of wide-area explosive weapons in populated areas leads to devastating consequences and must be halted.”
In light of this pervasive violence, the United Nations anticipates further civilian displacements, potentially extending into neighboring countries. The organization also fears an increase in “new violations and abuses of international human rights law, including unlawful killings and conflict-related sexual violence.”
Mr. Türk underscored that “both parties to the conflict and their allies bear clear obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure safe, swift, and unhindered access for humanitarian aid to all individuals requiring assistance.”
Furthermore, he urged Rwanda to “cease its support for the M23 and withdraw its forces from the DRC.” He also called upon Congolese authorities to “intensify their ongoing efforts to demobilize, disarm, and repatriate members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) armed group,” which comprises former perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide who sought refuge in the DRC.
