The ongoing M23 offensive within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), essentially the most intense escalation of violence within the region since 2012, has drawn an urgent appeal for peace from Pope Francis.
Speaking against the devastating consequences of war, the Pope said, “I once more affirm ‘no’ to war …War destroys, devastates every little thing, takes lives, and results in a disregard for all times itself…War is at all times defeat.”
His call for a right away end to hostilities and the protection of civilians, especially children, has been echoed by Catholic leaders, including Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, on the thirty seventh Special Session of the Human Rights Council.
He highlighted the “strong condemnation” of the attack “which has caused an unlimited tragic lack of life, a worrying increase in human rights violations” and “has increased the huge displacement of populations already impoverished by the recurrent conflicts.”
The conflict in eastern DRC has intensified over the past month, with Rwandan-backed M23 rebels seizing control of lucrative mining areas in North Kivu province and capturing Goma, the region’s largest city, despite announcing a ceasefire.
This surge in violence has resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths and mass displacement. Over 20 million people now require humanitarian aid in a region already ravaged by recurrent conflicts. Reports of sexual violence, including rape and sexual slavery, are adding to the crisis, while aid employees are struggling to deal with the growing variety of casualties and the specter of disease breaking out in hospitals.
Despite these challenges, humanitarian organisations like Tearfund have resumed their efforts within the region. Poppy Anguandia, Tearfund’s Country Director for the DRC, noted progress in restoring basic services like power and water, reopening markets, and distributing clean water through camps, schools, and churches.
She said there was a necessity for secure and unhindered humanitarian access to make sure life-saving aid reaches those affected, and called for a sustained peace to enable displaced populations to rebuild their lives.
The Vatican’s Permanent Observer to the UN has urged the immediate reopening of Goma airport, which stays closed after the town’s capture by M23 forces. This step is seen as critical for delivering humanitarian aid and evacuating essentially the most severely injured.
