The surge in displacement follows rapid advances by the M23 rebel group, officially known as the Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement du 23 mars, across several towns in South Kivu since December 2.
The UN’s Deputy Spokesperson said Secretary-General António Guterres is deeply alarmed by the escalation, warning that the situation threatens efforts to secure a lasting resolution to the long-running conflict. The UN and Security Council have repeatedly described the majority-Tutsi M23 as being backed by Rwanda, a claim Kigali consistently denies.
“The Secretary-General underscores that this escalation risks seriously undermining efforts to achieve a sustainable resolution of the crisis and increases the risk of a broader regional conflagration,” Farhan Haq said in a statement.
Dozens of civilian deaths and many more injuries have been reported in Kamanyola, Luvungi, Katogota and Uvira. The attacks have triggered mass displacement and increased humanitarian needs across the province.
Guterres has called for an immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities and urged all parties to respect commitments made under peace agreements reached in Washington on December 4 and the Doha Framework Agreement signed in November.
He said the UN remains fully mobilised to support humanitarian operations and diplomatic efforts, stressing that the risk of wider regional instability is real and requires urgent de-escalation.
According to the UN’s humanitarian office, displacement figures have risen dramatically from earlier estimates. While some families have returned to areas where fighting has temporarily eased, the majority remain in overcrowded sites facing rising risks of cholera, mpox and other diseases.
In Uvira, which was reportedly overrun by M23 fighters on Wednesday, the situation was relatively calm on Thursday, although sporadic gunfire continued. Hospitals are struggling to cope, with Uvira’s main facility receiving a steady influx of wounded patients.
The violence has also driven tens of thousands across DRC’s borders into Burundi and Rwanda, where refugees are arriving exhausted and in urgent need of shelter, food, water and protection services.
UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region Huang Xia warned that the latest escalation undermines prospects for a durable settlement and risks igniting wider regional tensions.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
