Kinshasa, DR Congo
Monday, January 20, 2025

Fighting in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has displaced 237,000 people since the beginning of January, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Friday, expressing “alarm at the worsening violence”.

Rich in natural resources, the eastern part of the DRC has been plagued for nearly 30 years by the violence of armed groups, some local, others made up of militiamen from neighboring countries. Since its resurgence at the end of 2021, the M23 (“March 23rd Movement”), supported by Rwanda and with 3,000 to 4,000 Rwandan soldiers deployed alongside it, has seized vast swathes of territory in North Kivu, even encircling Goma, the provincial capital.

“Escalating clashes between non-state armed groups and the Congolese army in the provinces of North and South Kivu are intensifying one of the world’s most alarming but under-reported humanitarian crises, marked by widespread human rights violations and massive forced displacement,” UNHCR said in a statement.

UNHCR spokeswoman Eujin Byun explained at a press briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, that “the ongoing violence has severely limited short-term humanitarian access”, due to insecurity and roadblocks, and “left displaced populations in desperate need of shelter, food, drinking water and medical care”, worsening already dire living conditions.

In recent weeks, the M23, an armed group considered by Kinshasa to be a “terrorist movement”, has gained ground, notably taking control of Masisi, the administrative capital of the eponymous territory in North Kivu province. The Congolese army, which has declared itself “determined” to retake the lost territories, has been conducting counter-offensives for several days, and the situation remains confused in several areas.

The Congolese army is supported by “wazalendo” groups, a name meaning “patriots” in Swahili and referring to a nebulous group of local pro-Kinshasa militias.

On Friday, clashes involving the detonation of heavy weapons were reported in Kabingo and Ruzirantaka, localities located between the provinces of North and South Kivu, according to residents contacted by telephone by AFP.

– Ongoing violence –

From January 1 to 6, intense fighting in the Masisi and Lubero territories in North Kivu province forced some 150,000 people to flee their homes, according to the UNHCR.

Many of them initially sought refuge in Masisi territory, northwest of Goma, the territory’s main town, before being displaced again as the violence spread.

In the neighboring province of South Kivu, the most recent episode of violence dates back to Christmas in the Fizi territory, where the Congolese army claimed to be fighting a coalition of three local armed groups (Twirwaneho, Gumino and Makanika). The army had accused this coalition of seeking to take possession of the Kiziba airfield in Minembwe.

In addition to violence between communities in the region, there is also unrest linked to the presence of Burundian rebel groups such as RED-Tabara and the FNL (Forces nationales de libération).

Local authorities have reported the displacement of 84,000 people in the Fizi territory of South Kivu, according to the UNHCR.

“In both regions, civilians are subjected to indiscriminate shelling and sexual violence. The use of heavy weapons in populated areas has caused many civilian casualties, including children,” warned Ms. Byun.

“Some 25,000 displaced people returned to Masisi-Centre following a temporary lull in violence on January 4. However, the resumption of clashes on January 9 has forced many people to flee again,” she explained, claiming that civilians face ongoing violence, including forced recruitment.

UNHCR’s annual appeal for the DRC is less than 10% funded, out of the $226 million requested.

Humaniterre with AFP