Kinshasa, Jan 26 (NationPress) The United Nations has announced a temporary relocation of non-essential staff from Goma, the capital of North Kivu province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), due to the worsening security conditions.

In a statement released on Saturday, the UN indicated that this decision impacts administrative personnel and those capable of performing their duties remotely. They emphasized that this relocation will not undermine their commitment to providing humanitarian assistance and safeguarding civilians in North Kivu.

This action follows a rise in violence and territorial gains by the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels, who have recently taken control of Sake, a town regarded as the last line of defense for government forces before reaching Goma, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

The UN confirmed that essential staff will remain deployed to ensure the continuity of vital operations, such as food distribution, medical aid, shelter provision, and protection for at-risk communities. The temporary relocation will be reevaluated as the security circumstances change.

Fear has spread among displaced communities in Goma, a significant city in the region that was under M23 control for ten days back in 2012. Numerous foreign embassies have issued alerts recommending their citizens to evacuate North Kivu, while airports and borders continue to function.

Guillaume Njike Kaiko, spokesperson for the Congolese army in North Kivu, stated on Friday that measures are being taken to regain control of Sake.

"We have successfully halted the enemy's progression towards Goma, and at this moment, we urge the population to stay calm as our military forces are fully engaged at the front lines. We assure the community that the army will restore order on the ground," Kaiko informed Xinhua.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced serious concerns regarding M23's renewed aggression. In a statement made public Thursday by his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, Guterres condemned the rebel group's renewed offensive since the beginning of the year and its expansion into North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, including the recent takeover of Sake.

As this offensive has led to significant civilian casualties and heightened the risk of a broader regional conflict, Guterres urged M23 to immediately halt its assaults, withdraw from all occupied territories, and adhere to the ceasefire agreement established last August.

Over 400,000 individuals have been displaced since the start of 2025 in eastern DRC, where clashes between the Congolese army and armed factions have intensified.