Guterres appeals for mediation to end crisis in eastern DR Congo
February 6, 2025
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appealed for mediation to end the ongoing crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where violence has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and created a humanitarian crisis.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Guterres said he was “deeply concerned” by the escalating violence in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, which has forced more than 850,000 people to flee their homes since January.
“The violence has been characterized by indiscriminate attacks against civilians, including summary executions, rapes, and torture,” Guterres said. “I strongly condemn these heinous acts and call on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and human rights.”
Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire and urged all parties to engage in dialogue and mediation to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. He said the UN is ready to support any mediation efforts and is committed to providing humanitarian assistance to those affected by the violence.
“The international community has a responsibility to act now to prevent further suffering and loss of life,” Guterres said. “We must work together to find a lasting solution to the crisis in eastern DRC and bring peace and stability to the region.”
The UN has deployed a peacekeeping force in DRC since 1999, but the force has been criticized for failing to adequately protect civilians from violence. In recent months, the UN has increased its troop presence in eastern DRC and has deployed additional humanitarian personnel to assist those affected by the crisis.
The crisis in eastern DRC is the result of a complex conflict that has been fueled by ethnic tensions, land disputes, and the exploitation of natural resources. The region is home to a number of armed groups, some of which are supported by neighboring countries.
The violence in eastern DRC has had a devastating impact on the civilian population. In addition to the hundreds of thousands of people who have been displaced, the violence has also caused widespread food insecurity and malnutrition. The UN has warned that the crisis could lead to a famine if humanitarian assistance is not scaled up.
The international community has condemned the violence in eastern DRC and has called for an end to the fighting. The UN Security Council has adopted a number of resolutions on the crisis, including Resolution 2568, which was adopted in February 2021 and calls for an immediate ceasefire and the disarmament of armed groups.
Additional information:
- The crisis in eastern DRC is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with more than 2 million people displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance.
- The violence in eastern DRC is often characterized by sexual violence, with women and girls being particularly vulnerable to attack.
- The UN peacekeeping force in DRC is one of the largest in the world, with more than 18,000 troops and police officers deployed.
- The international community has pledged more than $1 billion in humanitarian assistance to DRC in 2025.
Guterres appeals for mediation to end crisis in eastern DR Congo
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