THE conflict in the mineral-rich east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is escalating and expanding, with increasing use of heavy weapons and offensive drones posing serious risks to civilians, the United Nations’ acting top envoy for the country has warned.

Vivian van de Perre told the UN security council on Thursday that despite January’s withdrawal of Rwanda-backed M23 militia fighters and their allies from the town of Uvira under international pressure, clashes were escalating in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu between the M23 and Congolese army forces and their supporters.

“The situation in South Kivu remains tense and the renewed hostilities have expanded and shifted the front lines, including toward Burundi’s border, increasing the risk of a regional conflagration,” she said.

Eastern Congo has been battered by decades of unrest as government forces fight more than 100 armed militia, the most potent being M23, often over access to its mineral riches. 

M23 fighters made a major advance into the region early last year, seizing Goma and other key cities as they quickly expanded their presence.

Ms van de Perre, who heads the nearly 9,000-member UN peacekeeping force in the DRC, known as Monusco, said the situation in Ituri province also “remains alarming,” with numerous casualties from violence linked to one rebel group while another group has been attacking mining sites.

She cited two “concerning” emerging elements: the conflict is expanding from North and South Kivu into Tshopo province and the use of heavy weapons and drones in urban areas poses risks to civilians and civilian infrastructure, which she said includes “recent incidents affecting sites such as Bangoka airport in Kisangani and in Goma town.”

At the same time, she said, the M23 is consolidating parallel administrative structures in areas under its control, which include Goma, “further undermining state authority and complicating the delivery of humanitarian assistance.”

Ms van de Perre warned the council of the deepening humanitarian crisis in the DRC, with the number of internally displaced persons rising to around 6.4 million.

Millions of Congolese face severe food shortages.

Officials from the DRC, Rwanda and the United States met in Washington last week and agreed on co-ordinated steps to de-escalate tensions in the eastern Congo.

After briefing the security council, Ms van de Perre told reporters that the “extremely volatile” situation in the east was why all agreements signed by the parties must be implemented. 

The first step should be a ceasefire, followed by the reopening of airports and the restoration of freedom of movement for peacekeepers, she said.