Sat Feb 15 13:06:09 UTC 2025: ## UN Chief Demands Respect for DRC’s Territorial Integrity Amidst M23 Advance

**Addis Ababa, Ethiopia –** UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday urged respect for the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) territorial integrity and a swift end to the escalating conflict in the country’s east, where Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have seized a second major city. The conflict dominated the opening day of the African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa.

The M23, having captured Goma last month, swiftly advanced into Bukavu on Friday, sparking international condemnation. The capture of Bukavu prompted Guterres to warn of a potential regional war, stating there is “no military solution” and calling for immediate dialogue. The European Union also declared it was “urgently” considering all options in response to the violations of DRC’s sovereignty.

Despite an earlier call for a ceasefire, fighting continues, with sporadic gunfire reported in Bukavu on Saturday. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, absent from the summit due to the ongoing crisis, addressed the Munich Security Conference on Friday, calling for Rwanda to be blacklisted for its “expansionist ambitions.” Rwanda denies backing the M23, but accuses Congolese Hutu groups of threatening its security.

The AU, facing criticism for its perceived slow response, is grappling with the crisis alongside other pressing issues including the conflict in Sudan and a recent cut in US development aid to Africa. The summit’s opening saw leaders call for reparations for colonial-era abuses. The selection of a new AU Commission chairperson is also underway. While Angola’s President João Lourenço assumed the rotating AU presidency, the ongoing conflict in the DRC cast a long shadow over the proceedings.

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