The UNHCR shows its concern about the “devastating consequences” of the clashes in the DRC
May 6. (EUROPE PRESS) –
The UN Secretary General, António Guterres, has called this Friday for de-escalation, appeasement and moderation to the parties in conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to “put an end to the ordeal of the people, who have suffered too much”.
Guterres has praised the efforts of regional leaders, especially Burundi, for their containment role in the escalation of the conflict and for creating conditions for dialogue.
“Everyone must put an end to hate speech and work to rebuild trust and refrain from any action that could undermine the progress achieved for peace in the DRC”, the UN Secretary General declared during his visit to Burundi. .
In addition, they have stressed that they will continue to support peace initiatives through MONUSCO — the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country –, and taking into account the Nairobi and Luanda processes.
“We are facing a very complex situation. We are facing conflicts that have a distant origin between communities and that, sometimes due to external manipulations, have increased the difficulties of coexistence. This has generated the development of a large number of militias, armed groups, that play a huge destabilizing role,” Guterres explained.
He has also pointed to the terrorism practiced by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the March 23 Movement (M23).
Despite the complexity of the situation, he has been optimistic due to the progress made in recent months which, although “have been slow”, have meant progress
UNHCR SHOWS ITS CONCERN
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is “very concerned about the devastating consequences” of the fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The UN agency estimates more than 6.2 million internally displaced persons and more than 1.3 million refugees in other countries in the region.
“DRC has one of the most complex and long-lasting crises on the entire continent,” said the deputy spokesman for the UN Secretary General, Farhan Haq, during a press conference this Friday.
Farhan has given the example of the situation on the outskirts of the city of Goma, where there are at least 564,000 displaced people in an environment lacking in infrastructure and sanitation that threatens the health of these people with diseases such as measles or cholera.
