Among the most prominent armed groups gaining ground are the March 23 Movement (M23) and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), with M23 reportedly receiving support from Rwanda.

The head of the UN stabilization mission, Bintou Keita, recently reported to the Security Council about the alarming rise of armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly following the M23's takeover of Goma and Bukavu.

These armed groups have begun to establish a 'parallel administration' in Bukavu, appointing officials such as a governor and vice governors, which signifies a troubling level of territorial and administrative control.

Keita highlighted a series of alarming human rights violations, including over 100 civilian executions, forced child recruitment, and a disturbing increase in sexual violence, particularly affecting women and children amid the ongoing conflict.

Reports from aid organizations reveal severe trauma among displaced children, with instances of girls as young as five being victims of sexual violence, and over 400 documented violations of children's rights between December 2024 and February 2025.

The security crisis has led to the displacement of over 100,000 individuals in Djugu, Ituri since January 2025, severely hampering humanitarian aid efforts due to ongoing insecurity and transportation challenges.

In Ituri province, violence has escalated between the CODECO and Zaïre armed groups, putting civilians in agricultural and mining areas at significant risk.

Efforts to achieve a ceasefire and political resolution are currently stalled, complicating the transition planning for MONUSCO as rebel control in South Kivu disrupts negotiations with Congolese authorities.

Despite these challenges, MONUSCO has expanded its patrols and facilitated disarmament talks, resulting in the surrender of over 2,200 fighters from the Zaïre group.

MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, has been operational since 2010 and was initially requested to withdraw from South Kivu in June 2024, but the DRC government later sought an extension of MONUSCO's mandate until the end of 2025.

Keita urged the Security Council to take concrete actions against human rights violators and to renew efforts for a political resolution, emphasizing the urgent need for an unconditional ceasefire.

Keita also raised concerns about rising hate speech and ethnic targeting against Tutsi and Swahili-speaking Congolese, urging the government to legislate against tribalism and promote national diversity.

The UN's 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan for the DRC is critically underfunded, with only 8.2% of the necessary funds secured, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis amid a global financial downturn.