Vivian van de Perre, the mission’s Deputy Special Representative for Protection and Operations, said the ‘blue helmets’ would continue the full spectrum of their activities in Ituri, supporting the ceasefire and offering protection to civilians in North Kivu, focusing exclusively on functions related to the ceasefire in South Kivu.
MONUSCO has been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since July 2010, replacing a previous UN peacekeeping operation in a conflict stemming from the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis in neighboring Rwanda. MONUSCO’s mandate includes protecting civilians and helping the Democratic Republic of the Congo stabilize and consolidate peace.
“Alarming” situation as conflict continues
The deputy chief’s briefing came as fighting between rebel militia groups, AFC and M23, and pro-government forces in Kinshasa intensifies in the Kivus, despite the withdrawal of the M23 militia from Uvira in January.
Violence is also spilling over to Burundi’s border, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
In Ituri province, “the situation remains alarming,” with rebel attacks causing casualties, displacement and damage to infrastructure, the U.N. official said.
“Recent hostilities between the government and the AFC/M23 have also been marked by increasing use of offensive dronesas well as the continued interference and spoofing of GPS signals,” Ms van de Perre said.
Attacks by another rebel group, the ADF, have also resumed in Mambasa territory, far from their traditional areas of operations.
Diplomatic push for peace
“Despite these challenges, “Diplomatic efforts to support the implementation of the ongoing peace processes are ongoing,” said Mrs. van de Perre.
He welcomed the renewed commitment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to move forward with the Washington Accords following their March 17-18 meeting in the US capital, where both sides agreed on concrete steps to implement the peace agreement and reduce tensions.
He also highlighted the progress made through the Doha process and initiatives led by the African Union, which have helped build a ceasefire framework.
Ms van de Perre added that a recent “joint exploratory mission” to Uvira concluded that security guarantees and freedom of movement are essential before deployment can continue.
He urged the Council to exert its influence to translate this progress into Rapid reopening of Goma and Kavumu airports. and the resumption of flights
“I encourage all political and civil society actors to find common ground on the scope, objectives and modalities of the national dialogue,” he said.
Supporting civilians
Vivian van de Perre said that MONUSCO continues Provide protection where it has sheltered almost 3,000 civilians who fled violence. from the rebel militia in the village of Djaiba and sought refuge at the UN Fataki base.
He pointed out that the Missions support, including carrying out 204 patrols, allowed 18,000 farmers to harvest and transport their crops.
However, he stressed that stronger governance and security sector reform are essential for the State to fulfill its primary responsibility to protect civilians, while disarmament and repatriation efforts must advance in parallel to reduce tensions.
In this context, “the humanitarian landscape has changed dramatically,” said the UN official, adding that There are currently 6.4 million internally displaced people cross country.
“While current humanitarian efforts remain essential, they are insufficient and compounded by significant funding challenges,” adding that 26.6 million people, a quarter of the population, are expected to face food insecurity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo this year.
“Humanitarian action alone cannot carry the burden of peace, particularly in a context where humanitarian actors continue to be attacked, with ten incidents reported since December 2025,” said Ms van de Perre.
Human rights abuses
The UN Joint Human Rights Office in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has continued to document serious human rights violations by armed groups and state actors since it last reported to the Security Council in December 2025.
“Since December 2025, 173 cases of conflict-related sexual violence have been confirmed, affecting 111 victims, mostly women and girls, which is, as we know, just the tip of the iceberg.”
Ms van de Perre also warned that restrictions on MONUSCO’s access are hampering its ability to monitor, investigate and report on abuses, while human rights defenders, journalists and civil society actors in rebel-controlled areas continue to face intimidation and arbitrary detention.
He also stressed that forced child labor remains a serious concern in artisanal mines, where exploitation helps fuel the conflict.