United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has raised alarm over the escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warning that the ongoing M23 insurgency could spiral into a broader regional war.
In a statement released by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on Thursday, Guterres condemned the rebel group’s recent capture of the strategic town of Sake and urged all parties to respect Congo’s sovereignty and cease supporting armed groups.
“This offensive has a devastating toll on the civilian population and heightens the risk of a broader regional war,” Dujarric said.
The M23 rebellion, led by the Tutsi group, has intensified since the start of the year, with the rebels seizing more territory in the DRC’s mineral-rich east than ever before. The latest advances have forced thousands of people to flee their homes, adding to the region’s humanitarian crisis.
The Congolese government and the United Nations accuse neighboring Rwanda of backing the M23 insurgency with troops and weapons—a claim Rwanda denies.
After taking control of Minova earlier this week, M23 fighters advanced into Sake, a town located just 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo. The UN statement expressed concern over the recent seizure of Sake, warning that it increases the threat to Goma, which has historically been a focal point of regional tensions.
The M23 previously captured Goma during a 2012 rebellion, leading to international donors cutting aid to Rwanda. However, the group’s current territorial control surpasses that of its earlier uprising.
The national army has yet to comment on the situation in Sake, but the UN continues to urge an end to all forms of external support for the insurgents and calls for renewed efforts toward peace in the region.
