UN Security Council warns of 'volatile' DRC rebel activity
Eastern DR Congo has been plagued by violence from armed groups for decades.
People gather next to some vehicles from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission as they flee the Masisi territory following clashes between M23 rebels and government forces, at a road near Sake on 7 February 2024. Picture: AFP
UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council on Thursday warned of "volatile" armed activity in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, including fighting by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels and "the intensification of systemic attacks" by an Islamic State-affiliated group.
The Council condemned recent M23 attacks, which local sources say have been deadly, and noted that the rebels' offensive toward Kanyabayonga, a key city in the country's restive east, displaced 350,000 people in the last week.
Fighting by the M23 as well as "the intensification of systemic attacks" by the Allied Democratic Forces -- linked to the Islamic State group -- "are worsening the volatile security" situation in the region, the Council said in a statement.
Eastern DR Congo has been plagued by violence from armed groups for decades.
The ADF, originally composed of mainly Muslim Ugandan rebels, has established a presence in the east over the past three decades, killing thousands of civilians.
Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, has been surrounded to the north and west by the Rwandan army and M23 rebels for several months.
Fighting regularly takes place against the Congolese army on the outskirts of the city, while the rebels, backed by Kigali, continue to extend their hold in the countryside.
Though it did not mention Rwanda by name, the Council "condemned foreign military support" provided to the rebels and called for the "immediate withdrawal" of any external forces in the country.
Rwanda denies that it backs the M23.