The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session this past Sunday to address the escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the March 23 Movement (M23) forces, reportedly backed by Rwanda, are advancing towards Goma. UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix commenced the meeting by denouncing the spike in hostilities along the DRC’s border. Lacroix emphasized the importance of respecting the DRC’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
During the session, the ambassadors of Uruguay and South Africa put forward calls for enhanced protective measures for UN troops after peacekeepers from their countries were killed while participating in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). Addressing the Council, the DRC’s Foreign Minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, urged immediate and decisive action, alleging that Rwanda is breaching international laws by supporting aggression against the DRC. She asked the Council to consider sanctions against Rwanda and to exclude it from the list of troop-contributing nations due to its actions against UN peacekeepers.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres echoed these concerns, publicly condemning Rwanda’s involvement with M23 and demanding the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from DRC territory. Guterres’ spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, reiterated the call for adherence to international humanitarian law and highlighted the necessity of holding violators accountable.
At present, the UN is undertaking the relocation of its personnel from Goma, as M23 forces press forward. This situation has drawn the attention of human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, which recently urged all armed groups within the DRC to cease using explosive ordnance in heavily populated areas. There are growing concerns over the humanitarian fallout, with the UN confirming that 400,000 people have been displaced in the city of Kivu this year. For further analysis, see JURIST’s detailed report.