Key points from the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC):

• The UN warns of worsening violence with calls for an immediate ceasefire.
• The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, has rapidly taken control of significant territories.
• Thousands have been killed or displaced amidst allegations of severe human rights violations, including sexual violence.
• Regional leaders, including those from the East African Community, gathered in Tanzania to address the crisis.
• Humanitarian access remains blocked, exacerbating the already dire situation in conflict zones.

The escalating crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has drawn urgent calls for an immediate ceasefire from African leaders and the United Nations, with warnings that if unaddressed, the situation could lead to widespread regional instability. Following the recent takeover of Goma, capital of North Kivu, by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, thousands of casualties and massive displacement have been reported, with estimates indicating nearly 3,000 fatalities. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk stated, “if nothing is done, the worst may be yet to come for the people of the eastern DRC, but also beyond the country’s borders,” emphasizing the urgency of the crisis.

During the summit held in Tanzania, regional leaders, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, discussed measures to halt the violence, which continues to escalate as M23 forces push deeper into South Kivu. Despite the DRC’s government calling the M23 a terrorist organization, Rwanda continues to deny military support, citing security threats stemming from the DRC’s backing of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group implicated in the 1994 genocide.

The UN has documented alarming instances of sexual violence, with reports of gang rapes and sexual slavery, particularly in areas under M23 control. Turk highlighted that humanitarian efforts are urgently needed to address the humanitarian crisis, which includes prevention of further escalations in conflict-related sexual violence. Hospitals in Goma have also been targets of violence, leaving civilians in dire need of safety and medical care.

As the M23 rebel group continues its advance, the summit directed army chiefs from the East African Community to arrange meetings to provide technical guidance for an unconditional ceasefire and ensure humanitarian corridors are established to aid those affected. Without international pressure and a ceasefire, the escalating violence threatens to engulf not only the DRC but potentially destabilize the broader region.

With tensions high and fears of a regional war intensifying, the need for coordinated international intervention and dialogue remains urgent. The humanitarian and security repercussions of inaction could reverberate throughout the Great Lakes region.

For more detailed coverage, read the reports on Al Jazeera and The Guardian.