At the 2025 UN General Assembly in New York, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi issued an urgent plea to world leaders, describing the violence in eastern Congo as a “silent genocide” that demands global recognition and decisive action. Tshisekedi said peace cannot be achieved unless Rwandan troops withdraw, Rwanda ends its alleged support for the M23 rebel movement, and Congolese state authority is restored in all occupied areas. He stressed these were “non-negotiable conditions” for lasting stability.
Eastern DRC, home to vast reserves of gold, cobalt, and coltan, has been a hotspot of conflict for more than three decades. Fighting has intensified since 2021, when the M23 rebellion re-emerged. The United Nations has accused Rwanda of backing the group, an allegation Kigali denies. A recent UN investigation found evidence of possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by both M23 rebels and government forces.
Tshisekedi urged the UN to move beyond rhetoric by imposing targeted sanctions on perpetrators, cracking down on the illegal mineral trade, and supporting justice mechanisms. “For decades, our minerals have fueled wars and human tragedy. This must end,” he declared. The DRC leader also called for international solidarity to support civilians caught in the conflict, which has displaced more than 7 million people one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
