UN Reports Over 400,000 Displaced in Congo in 2025
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Synopsis
As of January 25, 2025, the UN reports that over 400,000 individuals have been displaced in eastern DRC due to escalating conflicts, particularly in North and South Kivu, raising concerns over civilian safety and humanitarian access.
Key Takeaways
- Over 400,000 people displaced in 2025.
- Severe ongoing violence in North Kivu and South Kivu.
- UNHCR expresses deep concern for civilians.
- Humanitarian routes cut off due to conflict.
- International warnings issued for citizens to evacuate.
Kinshasa, Jan 25 (NationPress) More than 400,000 individuals have been forced to flee their homes since the start of 2025 in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) due to escalating conflict and advancing rebellion towards significant townships, according to the United Nations refugee agency.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed its grave concerns regarding the safety and security of civilians and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in eastern Congo in a release on Friday, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The statement highlighted that ongoing clashes between factions in these regions are significantly deteriorating the protection landscape for civilians in South Kivu and North Kivu provinces, which currently host approximately 4.6 million IDPs.
Intense fighting has persisted since Friday morning between government forces and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels in the town of Sake and nearby areas in North Kivu province. The town, which acts as the last line of defense for the government against Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, has experienced loud explosions.
Due to the ongoing violence, all humanitarian routes connecting Goma, Sake, and Kalehe—three zones severely impacted by violence—have been blocked, as reported by the UNHCR on Friday. The influx of injured individuals has also overwhelmed local hospital emergency services.
A widespread feeling of panic has enveloped displaced residents in Goma and its neighboring areas amid the relentless shelling by M23 forces. Various foreign embassies have issued warnings urging their citizens to evacuate North Kivu while airports and borders remain operational.
Guillaume Njike Kaiko, the spokesperson for DRC's military in North Kivu, stated that efforts to reclaim Sake, currently under M23 control, are ongoing. He emphasized, "We have successfully halted the enemy's progress towards Goma, and we urge the populace to maintain calm as our armed forces are actively engaged at the front against the enemy. We assure you that the army will restore order on the ground," in a conversation with Xinhua.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has voiced his concerns regarding the resurgence of M23 hostilities. In a statement released by his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, on Thursday, Guterres condemned the renewed offensive by M23 since the start of this year and its expansion into North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
As this offensive has inflicted devastating damage on the civilian population and heightened the risk of broader regional conflict, Guterres has called upon M23 to immediately halt its offensive, withdraw from all occupied territories, and adhere to the ceasefire agreement established last August.
