"Stay the course towards a durable peace," the head of the UN peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo urged all actors in that country, where violence continues despite a ceasefire agreement.

The mineral-rich eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has seen several years of offensive by the 23 March Movement (M23) armed group, with support from Rwandan forces. In February 2025, the Council called on that group to immediately cease hostilities and also called on the Rwanda Defence Force to cease their support. A year ago, a peace agreement was signed in Washington, D.C., between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda.

Other diplomatic initiatives include the Doha framework, as well as African Union mediation efforts. In December 2025, the Council renewed the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) for a year so that it can support the implementation of the country's permanent ceasefire with Rwanda.

Complex, Volatile and Devastating Security Situation

Outlining the "complex, volatile and devastating" security situation, James Swan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of MONUSCO, noted intense fighting between the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC)/M23 supported by the Rwandan Defence Forces and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), the Wazalendo and in some areas, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). While the AFC/M23 has partially withdrawn from certain localities and areas, the group is "nevertheless continuing to consolidate parallel administrative structures in the areas under its control". He also highlighted the continued threat posed by the Allied Democratic Forces which has killed 28 civilians since the last briefing.

Noting sustained diplomatic engagement by the United States, Qatar and the African Union, Mr. Swan drew attention to the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus, which is responsible for monitoring and verifying ceasefire commitments, according to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Government and the AFC/M23 with the International Conference on the Great Lakes region. MONUSCO is supporting the operationalization of that Mechanism, he said, calling for its swift deployment.

Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the armed conflict, he said, also noting the prevalence of human rights violations across the country, including conflict-related sexual violence. The Mission has intensified its patrols and the deployment of mobile operating bases. It is supporting local and provincial peace mechanisms in Ituri, as well as security sector reform efforts led by the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Government.

27 Million People Food Insecure, Humanitarian Response Plan Underfunded

Turning to the humanitarian crisis, he noted that nearly 27 million people are food insecure. The 2026 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is only 53.3 per cent funded, while the continued closure of banks and airports is affecting the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance. He also highlighted the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease in the country. "The location of the main outbreak in an area of active conflict and in urban settings with already overstretched health structures, poses considerable risks for further expansion of the epidemic," he warned.

"I urge all parties to the Washington and Doha agreements to sustain the diplomatic achievements which have been made to date", implement the protocols already signed and advance discussions on remaining issues, he appealed.

Kinshasa Denounces AFC/M23 for Continued Offensive, Massacre of Civilians

The representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said that AFC/M23 is continuing its offensive with the support of the Rwandan Defence Forces. "This is an established fact at the highest level of the UN," he said. This coalition continues occupying Congolese territory, establishing parallel administrations and threatening new military conquests. Hundreds of civilians are killed daily, including women and children, and millions of people have been displaced. Council resolution 2773 (2025) requires an unconditional withdrawal of the Rwandan Defence Forces from the Congolese territory and the immediate cessation of hostilities by M23, he stressed.

It is essential to restore peace in North and South Kivu, he said, adding that the massacring of civilians and pillaging of natural resources "are not just simple accidents"; they could be qualified as genocide. He welcomed the measures adopted by some international partners, such as the United States, to sanction the Rwandan network involved in illicit trafficking of minerals pillaged in the eastern part of his country. "The minerals pillaged in the east are funding the war," he said.

There Is No Military Solution, MONUSCO Remains Critical

"Once again, civilians bear the heaviest burden of armed violence, displacement and fear," said Liberia's delegate, also speaking for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia. He condemned the continued violence perpetrated by various armed groups, including M23. "Attacks against civilians, forced recruitment, summary execution, abductions and other grave violations are unacceptable and must cease immediately," he said, calling for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

There are no military solutions, he said, highlighting the importance of African-led diplomacy and coherence among diplomatic efforts. Further, any drawdown of the Mission must be "responsible, gradual and conditions-based", he stressed. The Organization must "retain sufficient flexibility" so it can support civilian protection, restoration of State authority and strengthening national institutions.

The United States' representative said that MONUSCO remains critical to peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as he highlighted the Mission's role in ceasefire monitoring, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration efforts and Ebola response. "Monitoring and verification are necessary for clarifying the situation on the ground and identifying violations," he said, as he noted that both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have fallen short of their obligations, one year after the signing of the Washington, D.C., peace accord.

"Our message to the parties is clear: abandon the dangerous pursuit for a military solution to this conflict and commit fully and immediately to the agreed frameworks for peace," he urged. Washington, D.C., also warned that continued obstruction will bring further accountability measures, citing recent sanctions linked to support for M23 and illicit mineral smuggling.

Calls for Immediate, Full Implementation of Resolution 2773 (2025)

China's delegate urged major Powers outside of the region to "avoid treating regional mineral resources as bargaining chips in negotiations". He called for an immediate comprehensive ceasefire, full implementation of resolution 2773 (2025), respect for international humanitarian law and protection of civilians. He further welcomed the resumption of the Doha Process, urging the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government and M23 to resolve differences through negotiations. "The parties to the conflict should prioritize people's lives," he emphasized.

The Russian Federation's speaker warned that parties in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to rely on military means, while diplomatic tracks have yet to produce results on the ground. "This ceasefire is not working," she said, citing continued civilian deaths in North and South Kivu, the growing use of drones and reports of foreign mercenaries operating them, including individuals with combat experience in Ukraine. Moscow also highlighted the threat posed by the Allied Democratic Forces and called for coordinated regional measures to combat the group. Implementation of resolution 2773 (2025) remains central to ending hostilities and support for armed groups. "This resolution understood all the basic simple truths and steps whose implementation can stop the bloodshed and the suffering of the civilian population," she concluded.

Swiftly Deploy Enhanced Joint Verification Mechanism

That text was adopted unanimously in 2025 and several speakers today, including the representatives of Bahrain and Colombia, Council President for June, speaking in her national capacity, stressed that its implementation is not optional. The representative of France called for respect for Congolese sovereignty and territorial integrity. "A ceasefire - an effective ceasefire - is essential to protect the population from the fighting and to give peace a chance," he said. Echoing that, the representative of the United Kingdom urged all parties to support the swift deployment of the Enhanced Joint Verification Mechanism.

Panama's delegate welcomed the tangible progress made in operationalizing the Mechanism. This is an important step towards translating the political commitments made through the ongoing peace processes, he said. He was also one of the speakers who stressed that the Mission's drawdown should be gradual and based on security conditions.

Pakistan, its delegate said, supports "a pragmatic and phased approach". The Mission "remains the only impartial international presence with the institutional experience, logistical reach and operational capabilities required to support stabilization efforts and the protection of civilians", he pointed out. Once conditions permit, the Mission can play a constructive role in supporting monitoring and verification arrangements. At the same time, he cautioned, any such role must be guided by the realities on the ground. "Freedom of movement, unhindered access, cooperation of the parties and above all, the safety and security of peacekeepers are indispensable prerequisites for success," he said, stressing that the Council must ensure that the expectations placed on MONUSCO are realistic and matched by the capabilities and resources made available to the Mission.

Ebola Outbreak Exacerbating Dire Humanitarian Situation

Speakers also addressed the dire humanitarian situation in that country. The representatives of Denmark, Greece and Latvia noted that the Ebola outbreak is exacerbating the already dire conditions in the country. "The Ebola outbreak adds a new layer of complexity," said the latter's delegate, noting that containing an outbreak is that much harder when insecurity continues to drive displacement, when mistrust - fuelled by misinformation and disinformation - reigns, and when humanitarian actors face restricted access, and are met with intimidation and violence on their missions.