Introduction

The United Nations has warned of a major escalation in violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In just 3 days, 40 civilians have been killed, and since the beginning of this year, over 600 people have been killed and 345,000 have been displaced in the Ituri region.

UN Condemns Violence

“We strongly condemn this violence and call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and human rights obligations,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General.

Terrorist Attacks

The statement was issued in response to two terrorist attacks in the north-east of the country, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 20 people.

Decades of Conflict

Conflict has been ongoing in the eastern part of the DRC for many years, with over 120 armed groups vying for control of valuable minerals and others fighting to protect their communities. Insurgent groups frequently carry out massacres, leading to an influx of refugees.

Displacement Crisis

These attacks often force entire communities to flee, seeking refuge in poorly equipped displaced sites nearby, further worsening an already dire situation. Currently, the UN response plan for the Democratic Republic of the Congo is only 30 percent funded.

Source

Source: AB