United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has made a poignant appeal for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), highlighting the critical humanitarian crisis in Goma, where thousands have lost their lives and hundreds of thousands have been displaced due to ongoing violence.
In advance of significant summits involving the East African Community, the Southern African Development Community, and the African Union Peace and Security Council, Guterres urged an immediate cessation of hostilities, emphasizing that “there is no military solution.”
Although Rwanda-backed rebels have declared a unilateral ceasefire, the Congolese government has rejected this as “false communication,” pointing to continued clashes in other regions. Guterres condemned various human rights violations, including sexual violence, forced recruitment, and assaults on humanitarian operations.
Next week, Guterres is set to travel to Addis Ababa for the AU Peace and Security Council Summit, where the focus will likely be on discussions aimed at restoring stability in the Great Lakes region.
