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United Nations acting top envoy for Congo Vivian van de Perre told the U.N. Security Council that the conflict in mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is escalating and expanding, warning that heavy weapons and offensive drones are increasing and posing serious risks to civilians. She made the remarks after the council meeting on Thursday, where she briefed members on the conflict’s direction and the conditions needed to reduce harm.
Van de Perre said the situation in South Kivu remains tense, and that renewed hostilities have expanded and shifted the front lines. She warned that the fighting has moved toward Burundi’s border, raising concerns about the potential for a broader regional flare-up.
She described North Kivu and South Kivu as the focus of escalating clashes between M23 and Congolese army forces and their supporters. Van de Perre said that even though M23 and its allies withdrew from the town of Uvira in January under international pressure, clashes have nevertheless intensified in both provinces.
Van de Perre said conditions in Ituri province also remain alarming, including violence linked to one rebel group that has caused numerous casualties and another group that has been attacking mining sites. She cited two “concerning” emerging elements: the conflict spreading from North and South Kivu into Tshopo province, and the use of heavy weapons and drones in urban areas that increase risks to civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Among the civilian infrastructure she cited were incidents affecting Bangoka Airport in Kisangani and sites in Goma town. She also warned that M23 is consolidating parallel administrative structures in areas under its control, including Goma, which she said further undermines state authority and complicates the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Van de Perre added that officials from Congo, Rwanda and the United States met in Washington last week and agreed on coordinated steps to de-escalate tensions in eastern Congo. After briefing the Security Council, she told reporters that the “extremely volatile” situation in the east is why all agreements signed by the parties must be implemented.
She said the first step should be a ceasefire, followed by the reopening of airports and the restoration of freedom of movement for peacekeepers. Massad Boulos, who chaired the Security Council meeting and is a senior adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump on African and Arab affairs, said MONUSCO remains “indispensable to the success of the peace process.”
Boulos said resolving the conflict in eastern Congo is “a matter of highest priority” for Trump, and echoed van de Perre’s call for the parties to stick to their obligations and commitments, including respecting a ceasefire.