MONUSCO urges immediate ceasefire as M23 advances destabilize eastern DRC

Bintu Keita, the U.N. secretary-general’s special representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and head of the U.N. peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO), told reporters that MONUSCO is calling for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire by the M23 rebel group as its military actions continue to destabilize eastern DRC.

Keita said MONUSCO has sheltered thousands and continues to protect civilians despite “freedom of movement restrictions, including roadblocks and 48‑hour advanced notification requirements” that prevent the mission from carrying out lifesaving operations. “There is no military solution that will end this suffering,” she said.

Why it matters: Keita described an urgent humanitarian problem and a security risk to civilians and U.N. personnel. She called on Rwanda to end support for M23, urged armed groups to enter disarmament and reintegration processes, and asked for international help to transfer protected people to secure sites if relocation becomes necessary.

Following the fall of Goma on Jan. 28, Keita said, more than 1,400 high‑risk individuals sought MONUSCO protection, including women and children. She said the mission is protecting “hundreds of…