UN Security Council Concerned About 'escalating Violence' In Eastern DR Congo
Umer Jamshaid Published February 13, 2024 | 09:40 AM
United Nations, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Feb, 2024) The UN Security Council said it was concerned by "escalating violence" in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday, condemning in a statement the offensive launched earlier this month by M23 rebels near the city of Goma.
Clashes have intensified recently between the M23 -- among the strongest of dozens of armed groups roaming the country's troubled east -- and the Congolese army.
The DRC, the UN and Western countries say Rwanda is supporting the rebels in a bid to control vast mineral resources, an allegation Kigali denies.
Council members, who met Monday to discuss the issue, "reiterated their condemnation of all armed groups operating in the country. They expressed concern about the escalation of violence and a sustained tension in the region," according to a statement read by Guyana ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.
Council members also specifically "condemned the M23 offensive," launched February 7, Rodrigues-Birkett said.
"They reiterated their full support to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the DRC.
"
The M23 has seized vast swaths of North Kivu province since emerging from dormancy in late 2021, in an area wracked by violence for decades following regional wars in the 1990s.
The most recent flare-up has pushed thousands of civilians to flee the town of Sake, on the route towards Goma, capital of North Kivu province.
According to a UN document seen by AFP earlier on Monday, the Rwandan army is using sophisticated weapons such as surface-to-air missiles to support M23.
A "suspected Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM)" was fired at a UN observation drone last Wednesday without hitting it, the confidential report said.
UN forces have been in DRC for nearly 25 years, but stand accused of failing to protect civilians from armed groups.
The UN Security Council voted in December to accede to Kinshasa's demand for a pullout despite the volatile situation.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis Trophy 2024 from May 3
Jacaranda flowers bring natural beauty to Capital
Four matches decided in National Challenge Cup
Macron floats Ukraine troop deployment if frontline breached
BISE Larkana annual examinations-2024 of SSC Part-I & II commence
PM for enhancing bilateral cooperation with Azerbaijan in various areas
Rai Mumtaz declared PO in corruption case
Biden says 'order must prevail' on US campuses amid protests
Committee holds former PCB director responsible for Ihsanullah’s aggravated in ..
Balochistan CM calls on Governor Malik Wali Khan
AJK legislature green lights Rs. 9.120 billion welfare fund
Open kutchery to be held on May 14 at Kamber
More Stories From World
-
Kids study in overheated slum as Philippines shuts schools
33 minutes ago -
Macron floats Ukraine troop deployment if frontline breached
33 minutes ago -
Biden says 'order must prevail' on US campuses amid protests
36 minutes ago -
Death toll from rain, flooding in southern Brazil rises to 13
33 minutes ago -
US says 'deeply concerned' by Georgia's 'foreign influence' bill
33 minutes ago -
Kenya, Tanzania brace for cyclone as heavy rains persist
40 minutes ago
-
Gaza post-war reconstruction at scale unseen since WWII, UN says
33 minutes ago -
John Swinney on course to be crowned Scotland's new first minister
2 hours ago -
Biden says 'order must prevail' amid campus protests on Gaza
2 hours ago -
French parliament to investigate sexual abuse in cinema
2 hours ago -
European court upholds Italy's claim to Greek bronze in US museum
2 hours ago -
Prosecutors accuse Trump of more violations of gag order, seek fines
2 hours ago