Conflict in eastern Congo is escalating with use of heavy weapons and
drones, UN warns
[March 27, 2026]
By EDITH M. LEDERER
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations' acting top envoy for Congo
warned the U.N. Security Council on Thursday that the conflict in
mineral-rich eastern Congo is escalating and expanding, with increasing
use of heavy weapons and offensive drones posing serious risks to
civilians.
Vivian van de Perre said that despite the withdrawal of Rwanda-backed
M23 rebels and their allies from the town of Uvira under international
pressure in January, clashes are escalating in the provinces of North
Kivu and South Kivu between the M23 and Congolese army forces and their
supporters.
“The situation in South Kivu remains tense and the renewed hostilities
have expanded and shifted the front lines, including toward Burundi’s
border, increasing the risk of a regional conflagration,” she warned.
Eastern Congo has been battered by decades of unrest as government
forces fight more than 100 armed groups, the most potent being M23,
often over access to its mineral riches. M23 fighters made a major
advance into the region early last year, seizing Goma and other key
cities as they quickly expanded their presence.
Van de Perre, who heads the nearly 9,000-member U.N. peacekeeping force
in Congo known as MONUSCO, said the situation in Ituri province also
“remains alarming,” with numerous casualties from violence linked to one
rebel group while another group has been attacking mining sites.
Van de Perre cited two “concerning” emerging elements: the conflict is
expanding from North and South Kivu into Tshopo province, and the use of
heavy weapons and drones in urban areas poses risks to civilians and
civilian infrastructure, which she said includes “recent incidents
affecting sites such as Bangoka Airport in Kisangani and in Goma town.”
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At the same time, she said, M23 is consolidating parallel
administrative structures in areas under its control, which include
Goma, “further undermining state authority and complicating the
delivery of humanitarian assistance.”
Officials from Congo, Rwanda and the United States met in Washington
last week and agreed on coordinated steps to de-escalate tensions in
eastern Congo.
After briefing the Security Council, van de Perre told reporters
that the “extremely volatile” situation in the east is why all
agreements signed by the parties must be implemented. The first step
should be a ceasefire, followed by the reopening of airports and the
restoration of freedom of movement for peacekeepers, she said.
Massad Boulos, who chaired the council meeting and is a senior
adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump on African and Arab affairs,
said “MONUSCO remains indispensable to the success of the peace
process.”
He said resolving the conflict in eastern Congo is “a matter of
highest priority” for Trump. He echoed van de Perre’s call for the
parties to stick to their obligations and commitments, including
respecting a ceasefire.
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