The move comes as the security situation in the region continues to deteriorate due to the advancing M23 rebels and confrontations with the Congolese army and allied militias.
In a statement, the UN confirmed that the relocation affects administrative personnel and those whose tasks can be performed remotely. However, the organization emphasized that this decision will not impact its ongoing humanitarian efforts in North Kivu, particularly in providing food, medical aid, and shelter to vulnerable populations.
The relocation will be reassessed as the security situation continues to evolve.
There have been mounting fears as M23 seized the strategic town of Sake, which had previously served as the last stronghold for government forces ahead of Goma. The group's territorial gains have raised alarms that Goma, a city home to around two million people, could soon fall under M23 control.
Goma had already been briefly occupied by the rebels in 2012, and now, anxiety is spreading among the displaced populations in the area.
Due to the ongoing instability multiple foreign embassies have issued advisories urging their citizens to evacuate from North Kivu.
M23, which is fighting for the interests of the Tutsi community in eastern Congo, has announced its intention to 'liberate' the people of the region, accusing the government of long-standing persecution.
The rebel group has been vocal about its grievances with the Congolese government, accusing it of failing to uphold agreements related to the rights and safety of Rwandophones in eastern DRC.
The ongoing clashes have claimed the lives of at least 13 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers and left several others wounded in the past few days. Those killed were part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in the country.
The military governor of North Kivu Province, Maj Gen Peter Cirimwami, is also among the recent casualties. M23 announced that Cirimwami was killed on Thursday after travelling to locations near Sake, where the rebels engaged in battle with the government army coalition.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/un-relocates-staff-from-dr-congo-s-goma-amid-rising-tensions
