By Cecilia Ologunagba

UN officials have warned that despite diplomatic gains, violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues unabated, stressing women’s leadership in peace efforts.

According to them, women’s leadership in peace efforts remains central to breaking the cycle of violence dominated by M23, reportedly backed by Rwanda, battling Congolese forces and allied groups.

The officials told the Security Council on Wednesday, meeting over the deteriorating security situation in the DRC and wider Great Lakes region that despite mediation efforts in Doha and Washington, regional tensions between the DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi remain acute.

According to them, heavy fighting is costing lives, making families fleeing as the violence spreads, with women and children bearing the brunt of displacement.

“The violence has deepened mistrust among neighbouring countries and risks undermining broader Great Lakes stability.

“Diplomacy alone is not enough. Without implementation of agreed commitments, including in resolutions 2773 (2025) and 2808(2025) , and genuine engagement to foster trust among the parties, peace efforts will fail.”

Ambassador Zenon Ngay Mukongo of the DRC emphasised the “complementary nature” of the Oversight and Verification Mechanism, the Doha Framework Agreement, the Washington Accords and the enhanced coordination of African-led peace efforts.

Their common ground is the full implementation of resolutions 2773 (2025) and 2808 (2025), he said, voicing concern over the sincerity of Rwanda’s commitment and that of its auxiliaries.

He pointed to an interview with Jeune Afrique in early April and remarks made at the national dialogue in February, when Rwandan authorities assumed responsibility for the presence of Rwandan troops in the DRC, which they called “indispensable defence measures”.

They denied the looting of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he said, and refused to yield to the threat of international sanctions.

The same holds true with the Luanda and Nairobi processes, he said, whose implementation Rwanda blocked in order to “gain time” and create a zone of influence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Rwanda aimed to transform this area into “a colony for exploitation and settlement”, from which it would have access to and control over Congolese institutions.

“These operations by Rwanda undermine regional peace and are prohibited under the Addis Ababa Framework Agreement,” he stressed.

Ambassador Karoli Martin Ngoga of Rwanda said today’s meeting takes place one week after the General Assembly commemorated the genocide against the Tutsi.

The perpetrators who committed this crime “forayed into DRC and remain active until today”, he explained.

“Their continued presence was among the central reasons for the peace, security and cooperation framework to address that matter, among others.”

Since 2013, Rwanda has “fully upheld its framework commitments“, he said, a principled approach aligned with the framework’s core objective to address root causes of conflict on the path to sustainable peace in the region.

More than 10 years later, “the fundamental drivers of instability remain unchanged”, he said.

Rwanda’s security concerns – and an existential threat – are the presence and deterrence of FDLR in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“This group poses a direct threat to Rwanda and to regional stability,” he insisted.

“There can be no credible path to peace without its effective and irreversible neutralization” – a matter that had been consistently raised “in all forums that are mediating for peace”.

He cited escalating hate speech, ethnic targeting and violence against Rwandan communities, particularly the Banyamulenge people, stressing: The continued portayal of these communities as “foreigners” remains a matter of concern in the realisation of the framework’s aspirations.

Such deep rooted challenges must be addressed directly. “Sustainable peace cannot be built on avoidance.”