UN Human Rights Chief Calls for Ceasefire as Violence Rises in Eastern DR Congo

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Rwanda‑backed M23 rebel group to immediately cease hostilities after a surge of attacks in South Kivu’s Fizi and Mwenga territories. The fighting, which employed armed drones, heavy artillery and other explosive weapons, hit densely populated areas and caused dozens of civilian deaths and injuries, destroyed homes, livestock and livelihoods, especially around the village of Mulima on July 4‑5.

Türk condemned the escalation, warned that continued violence could trigger a new wave of mass displacement into neighbouring countries, and called for unhindered humanitarian access. He demanded that Rwanda end its support for M23 and withdraw any troops from the DRC, while urging Congolese authorities to intensify efforts to demobilise, disarm and repatriate members of the FDLR militia. The appeal comes amid a protracted conflict linked to competition over mineral resources and lingering regional tensions stemming from the 1994 Rwandan genocide.