Democratic Republic Of Congo
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a special appeal for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warning that the humanitarian situation in Goma is dire as thousands have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced due to ongoing violence.
Speaking ahead of key summits of the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community, and the African Union Peace and Security Council, Guterres called for an immediate halt to hostilities, stressing that "there is no military solution".
Despite a unilateral ceasefire declaration by Rwanda-backed rebels, Congo’s government has dismissed it as “false communication”, citing continued fighting in other areas. Guterres condemned human rights abuses, including sexual violence, forced recruitment, and attacks on humanitarian efforts.
Guterres will travel to Addis Ababa next week for the AU Peace and Security Council Summit, where discussions on restoring stability in the Great Lakes region are expected to take center stage.
01:06
UN urges Rwanda to leave eastern Congo, extends peacekeeping mission for a year
Go to video
Shelters in Burundi overwhelmed as 80,000 flee escalating violence in South Kivu
Go to video
From Kinshasa to Bujumbura: How the M23 crisis risks engulfing the region
00:24
DR Congo: is Katanga the next target for M23 rebels?
02:07
Fear and uncertainty grip Uvira after M23 seizes strategic city