The head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, James Swan, has warned that rising violence in the east is complicating efforts to scale down the long-running operation.
Swan made the remarks at the end of a three-day visit to North Kivu and Ituri, where armed groups continue to expand activities despite the ongoing phased withdrawal of UN forces.
In the city of Beni, Swan held talks with military officials to assess coordination between UN troops and the Congolese army, as local authorities said the threat posed by armed groups now extends beyond a domestic insurgency with links to cross-border networks.
In Bunia, he reaffirmed the mission’s commitment to protecting internally displaced people, with hundreds of thousands still living in camps increasingly targeted by militia attacks.
Security officials reported a shift in militant tactics, including a coordinated attack on a mining site that resulted in casualties and damage to infrastructure, signaling a move toward economic disruption.
Reports also highlighted an increase in the use of underage fighters, with teenagers participating in attacks on mining areas.
Armed groups are exploiting security gaps to expand into new areas, while government forces remain engaged in other conflicts across the region.
On the diplomatic front, efforts to stabilize the region continue to face challenges despite agreements on humanitarian access and legal protections.
Local officials are calling for a more effective ceasefire monitoring mechanism, citing repeated violations of previous agreements.
The deteriorating security situation has prompted a reassessment of the UN mission, which is continuing its withdrawal from some areas while maintaining a presence in others due to ongoing threats.
Protection of civilians remains central to the mission, amid reports of increasing threats against activists, particularly women, and rising violence in displacement camps.
The worsening security environment is also driving a growing humanitarian crisis, with thousands newly displaced in recent weeks.
These developments highlight the complex challenges facing stabilization efforts in eastern Congo, where security, political, and humanitarian pressures intersect.
