DR Congo Crisis: 500K Displaced, UN Warns

More than half a million people have been displaced in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in just over a week, as escalating violence driven by the M23 rebel offensive creates a rapidly worsening humanitarian emergency. The United Nations has issued a stark warning that the conflict risks spiraling into a broader regional conflagration.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep alarm over the surge in attacks across South Kivu province, where the M23 group, also known as the Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement du 23 mars, has made rapid advances since December 2. UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq reported that the situation threatens efforts for a lasting resolution.

The M23 offensive has targeted several key towns, including Kamanyola, Luvungi, Katogota, and notably, Uvira, which was reportedly overrun by M23 fighters around December 10. This aggressive push has led to dozens of civilian deaths and injuries, according to un News.

Humanitarian agencies are struggling to cope with the influx of displaced individuals, many of whom are seeking refuge in overcrowded sites. The UN aid coordination office noted a dramatic rise in displacement figures and warned of increased risks of disease outbreaks like cholera and mpox.

The United Nations and its Security Council have repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing the M23 militia, a claim that Kigali consistently denies. This alleged external support exacerbates regional tensions, with UN officials stressing the urgent need for de-escalation.

Despite recent diplomatic efforts, including the Washington Accords signed on December 4 and the Doha Framework Agreement in November, hostilities have intensified. Secretary-General Guterres has called for an immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities, urging all parties to honor their peace commitments.

The UK, through Minister Counsellor Jennifer MacNaughtan, condemned the M23 offensive and takeover of Uvira, supported by the Rwandan Defence Forces, during a UN Security Council briefing. MacNaughtan emphasized that there can be no military solution to this conflict.

• The current M23 offensive in South Kivu marks a significant escalation in a conflict that has plagued eastern DRC for years. Since early 2025, fighting between the M23 and the Congolese army (FARDC), alongside allied Wazalendo groups and Burundian forces, has intensified dramatically. Human Rights Watch reported that M23 captured Goma in January and Bukavu in February, leading to repeated waves of displacement across North and South Kivu.

• The humanitarian impact is dire, with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reporting that the situation in South Kivu has sharply deteriorated since December 2. Beyond the 500,000 newly displaced, ReliefWeb indicates that over 5.2 million internally displaced people are concentrated in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri, with 96% displaced due to armed violence.

• Key stakeholders include the M23 rebel group (officially Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement du 23 mars), the Congolese armed forces (FARDC), and various allied militias known as Wazalendo. Regional actors like Rwanda and Burundi are also deeply involved, with the UN and UK accusing Rwanda of supporting M23, a charge Rwanda denies.

• The conflict carries significant regional implications, with UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region Huang Xia warning that the escalation undermines prospects for a durable settlement and risks igniting broader regional tensions. The Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations noted that the Great Lakes region is nearing a dangerous threshold of large-scale armed confrontation.

• Humanitarian aid efforts are severely hampered by the insecurity and funding shortfalls. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International President Dr. Javid Abdelmoneim briefed the UN Security Council on December 12, highlighting collapsing health systems, widespread sexual violence, and shrinking humanitarian access and funding. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended operations in parts of South Kivu, cutting off 25,000 people from vital food support.

• The recent M23 advances, particularly the capture of Uvira, have strategic significance. Critical Threats reported that Uvira's fall cuts off a crucial supply route for the FARDC and severely constrains Burundian support, which had been a key ally. This could lead to a legitimacy crisis for the Congolese president and further weaken military strategies against M23.

• International diplomatic efforts, such as the Washington Accords and Doha Framework Agreement, aim to foster peace between the DRC and Rwanda. However, the ongoing M23 offensive, which occurred shortly after these agreements, demonstrates a widening gap between political commitments and the reality on the ground, as stated by un peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix.

• The UN Security Council has passed Resolution 2773 , which condemns Rwanda's alleged support for the M23 offensive and calls for the immediate withdrawal of its troops. This resolution underscores the international community's concern over external interference and its potential to prolong and intensify the conflict.