UN Calls for Immediate Respect of DRC’s Territorial Integrity Amid Escalating Conflict

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, addressing an African summit on Saturday, urged the immediate respect for the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) territorial integrity amid a worsening conflict in the country’s east. Guterres emphasized the need to prevent a regional war, stressing that “no military solution” could resolve the crisis.

The M23 group, reportedly backed by Rwanda, has made significant territorial gains in recent weeks, including seizing the provincial capital of Goma last month and taking control of key sites such as the South Kivu airport and the city of Bukavu. This has led to heightened international pressure on Rwanda, with the European Union condemning the violations of DRC’s sovereignty and calling for action.

French President Emmanuel Macron also urged Rwanda to withdraw M23 forces from Bukavu and implement a ceasefire. The situation in Bukavu has worsened with reports of gunfire in the streets, looting, and attacks on food reserves and a World Food Programme warehouse. The M23 group has demanded the withdrawal of Burundian soldiers from the region and encouraged residents to form vigilance committees.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame attended the summit, while DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, who was absent, was reportedly focused on monitoring the ongoing situation in his country. Tshisekedi, speaking at the Munich Security Conference, accused Rwanda of pursuing “expansionist ambitions” and called for international action against Kigali.

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The African Union (AU), while discussing the crisis at the summit in Addis Ababa, has faced criticism for its lack of decisive action. In addition to the ongoing conflict in the DRC, the AU leaders also addressed the war in Sudan and debated reparations for colonial abuses.

The summit concluded with the election of Djibouti’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf as the new AU executive commission chairman.