Since January, around 7,000 people have died in ongoing fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka shared this at a high-level Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva on Monday.
Violence involving the M23 rebel group has left about 450,000 people homeless. This follows the destruction of 90 displacement camps. The prime minister highlighted the humanitarian crisis, noting the widespread displacement and growing insecurity for civilians.
“The screams and cries of millions affected by this conflict are indescribable,” Suminwa Tuluka said. She called on the international community to act and impose “dissuasive sanctions” to stop the violence and hold those responsible accountable.
The M23 rebels, defeated in 2013, have resurfaced, causing the worst escalation in eastern Congo in over a decade. Their advance has disrupted the region, worsening an already critical humanitarian crisis.
Rwanda denies claims from the DRC, the United Nations, and Western countries that it supports the M23 rebels with arms and troops. These accusations have strained relations between the two nations, with Kigali maintaining its stance of non-involvement.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke at the 58th UN Human Rights Council meeting, expressing concern over global human rights issues. He noted that rights are being “suffocated” in many regions, pointing to severe abuses in the DRC that are affecting local communities.
With violence persisting in eastern Congo, humanitarian agencies warn of worsening conditions. Many displaced people lack food, healthcare, and basic needs. Calls for international intervention and peacebuilding support are increasing as the region faces one of its toughest crises in recent years.