by InterSos*
In the latest escalation of the violent conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, hundreds of thousands of people have been forcibly displaced, while civilians, civilian infrastructure and NGO staff and assets are increasingly targeted. The involvement of neighbouring countries through their proxy support to non-state armed groups, the presence of several national and regional armed forces and more than 120 armed groups represents an over-militarisation of the region and adds a level of complexity to the conflict in DR Congo that, if not contained, could lead to regional escalation.
Although North Kivu has been plagued by conflict for over two decades, the current situation has drastically deteriorated, triggering a catastrophic protection crisis. The warring parties regularly use heavy artillery, including mortars, grenades and bombs, and deliberately target civilians, including IDPs. IDP sites in Sake and Goma were bombed in February 2024 and commercial boats on the Kivu Lakes have also been targeted since March 2024. On 3 May 2024, at least 18 civilians were killed – most of them women and children – and 32 were injured in attacks on IDP sites near Goma. On 30 June, two aid workers were killed and several injured in an attack on an aid convoy near Butembo.
Other violations, such as arbitrary arrests and detentions, extrajudicial executions, forced recruitment, abductions and sexual violence, are committed with impunity. In April 2024 alone, more than 1,700 new cases of sexual violence were reported at sites housing IDPs. We also know that most cases of sexual violence go unreported for fear of stigmatisation, exclusion, retaliation, rejection and a culture of impunity.
2.8 million people are currently displaced in North Kivu province, including over 540,000 in and around Goma. A single offensive by a non-state armed group in June 2024 displaced over 350,000 people. People have been displaced several times: more than anything else, they want peace and they want to return home.
The planned withdrawal of the UN Integrated Peacekeeping Mission (MONUSCO) could lead to a power vacuum, allowing non-state armed groups to consolidate and intensify their activities, and consequently lead to an upsurge in violence, human rights violations and further displacement of the population. More than 80 per cent of the internally displaced people in the country reside in areas protected by MONUSCO, with the risk of a humanitarian catastrophe in the event of a hasty and disorderly withdrawal.
Time is running out for civilians. As the crisis continues to be overshadowed by other humanitarian emergencies and despite the escalation of the conflict, political leaders and donor agencies around the world remain inexplicably uninterested in the unfolding tragedy.
We strongly urge all parties to the conflict to take concrete measures to protect civilians, particularly women, girls and children, to ensure immediate and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance, and to ensure the free movement, safety and security of humanitarian personnel and assets, which should never be subject to violence. This includes demilitarisation and withdrawal from IDP sites that provide a place of refuge for people already displaced by violence.
We also call on the DR Congo government and the UN to ensure the meaningful and accountable participation of civil society, local actors and NGOs, as well as representatives of affected populations, at all stages of MONUSCO’s withdrawal and future reconfiguration of tasks. It is crucial that the withdrawal takes place responsibly and gradually, without creating logistical and security gaps, and that it ensures the protection of civilians, the safety of humanitarian personnel and access to humanitarian assistance.
“The situation is increasingly complex and urgent action is needed to address the growing protection and humanitarian needs of conflict-affected populations, both in camps and rural areas. To this end, all efforts must be made to reduce the escalation of the conflict and ensure the protection of civilians and safe and unhindered access to humanitarian workers engaged in the frontline delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance,“ said IAWG Director Peter Burgess.
Finally, we call on the UNSC to promote a stronger political dialogue towards de-escalation, addressing the growing involvement of neighbouring countries and working through the Nairobi and Luanda processes, ensuring the meaningful participation of national and local actors.
On the cover photo, the green pin on the map of Democratic Republic of Congo ©lfuturistman/Shutterstock.com
*INTERSOS is an international humanitarian organisation based in Italy, which intervenes in emergency and crisis situations to bring immediate aid to people whose lives are threatened by conflict, violence, extreme poverty, natural disasters or caused by human beings
