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Security Council members urge action after surge in sexual violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
Summary
A joint statement delivered on behalf of a group of Security Council members warned of unprecedented levels of sexual and gender‑based violence in eastern DRC, cited prison breaks and mass displacement, and voiced support for MONUSCO and regional diplomatic processes.
Representatives speaking for a group of Security Council members said they are "deeply concerned" about rising sexual and gender‑based violence and human rights abuses in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, citing mass displacement, an influx of combatants and weapons, and attacks on detention facilities.
The statement, delivered on behalf of Denmark, France, Greece, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and Guyana, said reports show "unprecedented levels" of sexual and gender‑based violence since violence escalated in January 2025 and called for accountability for perpetrators.
The representative of Guyana, speaking for the group, said that more than 7,000 prisoners escaped during attacks on facilities in North and South Kivu and that, during a January 2025 prison break at Muzenzi, "at least 165 women were reportedly raped and subsequently killed in a fire set by inmates." The representative said they had heard in April from UNICEF that "a child was reported raped every half an hour." The statement described those reports as evidence that perpetrators must be held to account.
The statement expressed support for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and called for full implementation of MONUSCO's protection‑of‑civilians mandate, condemning any attempts to obstruct that mandate. It also welcomed a peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda and referenced ongoing diplomatic efforts through combined Nairobi and Rwanda processes supported by the African Union and other regional bodies.
The statement noted an increase in women's representation in the DRC cabinet to 33% in 2024 and said women must be integral to peace, stability and development efforts. It welcomed the appointment of former presidents Catherine Samba‑Panza of the Central African Republic and Saleh Werkzehde of Ethiopia as two of five co‑facilitators intended to bring gender balance to the process.
During a brief question period, Sylvia Davaven of Africa Confidential asked, "What concretely can you do to stop those kids to be abused or killed?" The representative replied, "We all will speak about this in the council," and reiterated that signing agreements and diplomatic efforts must be followed by additional measures.
No formal Council resolution or vote on new measures was recorded in the statement delivered on behalf of the group.
