Despite ongoing volatility in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO remains committed to its mandate of protecting civilians and supporting stabilization efforts. Deputy Special Representative Vivian van de Perre emphasized that peacekeepers continue full operations in Ituri and North Kivu while focusing on ceasefire-related activities in South Kivu, amid intensifying clashes between government forces and rebel militias including AFC, M23, and ADF. The conflict has caused widespread casualties, displacement, and damage to infrastructure, with violence spreading toward Burundi’s border and the use of drones and GPS jamming complicating security.
Diplomatic efforts continue alongside military operations, with renewed commitments from the DRC and Rwanda to advance the Washington Accords and regional initiatives such as the Doha process and African Union-led frameworks helping to maintain ceasefire arrangements. MONUSCO also continues to provide protection to civilians, sheltering thousands displaced by attacks and enabling farmers to safely harvest crops, while stressing that stronger governance, security sector reform, and coordinated disarmament are crucial for long-term stability.
Humanitarian conditions remain dire, with 6.4 million people internally displaced and over 26 million expected to face food insecurity in 2026. Human rights violations persist, including conflict-related sexual violence, child forced labour in artisanal mining, and intimidation of journalists and civil society actors, while restrictions on MONUSCO’s access hinder monitoring and reporting. The mission underscores that humanitarian action alone cannot sustain peace, highlighting the need for continued diplomatic, security, and governance interventions to protect civilians and restore stability.
