The African Union (AU) has called for the March 23 Movement (M23) to disarm, warning that the escalating conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could spill over into neighboring countries.
Speaking at an AU summit on Sunday in Addis Ababa, Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, expressed deep concern over M23’s growing territorial control.
“We are all very concerned about the open regional war over Eastern DRC,” Adeoye said, urging immediate action to prevent further instability. He emphasized that M23 and its backers must disarm and withdraw from Goma airport and other occupied territories to avoid worsening the crisis.
The AU’s call comes amid intensified diplomatic efforts to contain the situation.
Meanwhile, Ugandan forces entered the eastern Congolese city of Bunia on Monday to assist local troops in curbing violence by armed groups.
The deployment follows a promise by Ugandan military commander Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba to support efforts against ethnic killings in the region.
Bunia, located near the Congo-Uganda border, has been a hotspot for conflict between the Lendu and Hema communities.
The Ugandan military’s presence is also aimed at combating the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group linked to the Islamic State (IS).
The situation in Ituri province has deteriorated significantly, with recent weeks seeing a surge in violence.
The CODECO militia, one of the armed groups operating in the region, has reportedly killed around 100 civilians, mostly from the Hema ethnic community.
The Hema, pastoralists in Ituri, have ties to the broader Tutsi community in the region.
The escalating conflict has led to mass displacement, with the United Nations (UN) reporting that up to 15,000 people have fled to Burundi within days.
The UN refugee agency has raised alarm over the rapid displacement and worsening humanitarian conditions.
In response, Uganda has sent additional troops to the DRC to help local forces restore order and protect civilians.
The intervention aims to stabilize the region and prevent further atrocities by armed groups.
As tensions rise, regional and international actors continue to push for peaceful resolutions to prevent the conflict from escalating into a full-blown regional crisis.
