DRC: Conflict Widens, 26.6 Million Face Hunger Amid Rising Violence - Briefing | United Nations

“The conflict is expanding beyond North and South Kivu into Tshopo Province, which lies far from the epicentre of the conflict,” said Vivian van de Perre, interim head of MONUSCO briefing on the situation in the DRC. Van de Perre, the UN stabilization mission's deputy special representative, told the Council the security situation in South Kivu remained tense despite an AFC/M23 withdrawal from Uvira in January. “The renewed hostilities have expanded and shifted the frontlines, including toward Burundi's border, increasing the risk of a regional conflagration,” she said. She said recent fighting had been marked by growing use of offensive drones and jamming of GPS signals in urban areas, including incidents affecting Bangoka Airport in Kisangani and Goma. “The use of such capabilities in urban settings raises serious concerns about the risks posed to civilians and civilian infrastructure,” she added. Van de Perre said 173 cases of conflict-related sexual violence had been confirmed since December 2025, affecting 111 victims, mostly women and girls, adding that figure was “only the tip of the iceberg.” She said access restrictions continued to hamper MONUSCO's ability to monitor and report on violations, while human rights defenders and journalists in AFC/M23-controlled areas faced intimidation and arbitrary detention. On the humanitarian front, van de Perre said food insecurity in 2026 was expected to affect 26.6 million people, “representing approximately a quarter of the population of the Congo.” DRC Ambassador Zénon Ngay Mukongo told the Council that M23 offensives were continuing with support from Rwanda's Defense Forces, calling it “a grave violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of his country. “Hundreds of civilians have been killed, including women and children,” he said. “Millions of peoples have been displaced and serious violations of human rights have been documented.” Rwanda's Ambassador Martin Ngoga said the conflict was “not of Rwanda's making.” He said Rwanda's core concern remained the FDLR, which he described as “a genocidal force” whose ideology was spreading in public discourse. “After 31 years of discussion in this chamber on the origins and intentions of FDLR, there should be no ambiguity,” Ngoga said. “This is a group whose intent is to exterminate a people.” U.S. Senior Advisor Massad Boulos said Washington would remain engaged in the region. “The United States will remain a committed partner in advancing peace, security and prosperity for the DRC, Rwanda and the entire Great Lakes region,” he said.


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