UN briefing flags worsening eastern DR Congo violence and new Guinea-Bissau anti-corruption funding

A United Nations briefing on April 2 drew attention to two separate developments in Africa: a worsening security and humanitarian crisis in eastern DR Congo, and new peacebuilding funding for Guinea-Bissau.

In eastern Congo, the UN said violence continued to escalate across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, with civilians facing killings, abductions, looting and fresh displacement. The briefing said at least 30 people were reportedly killed in Bafwakoa in Ituri on April 1, bringing deaths in the area to more than 100 since March 11. It also said more than 390 people had been abducted in Ituri during the same period.

The UN said the fighting has driven more people from their homes and left humanitarian conditions worsening across the east of the country. Earlier AP reporting had already warned that the conflict was escalating with the use of heavy weapons and drones.

The same briefing announced that the UN Peacebuilding Fund approved $2.5 million for an anti-corruption initiative in Guinea-Bissau. The project is intended to strengthen oversight and audit institutions, expand digital solutions and reinforce partnerships with national stakeholders.

The UN said the Guinea-Bissau initiative will be implemented by UNDP and UNODC. Background UN and UNDP material has described governance and anti-corruption work as a continuing focus in the country.

Together, the two items show the contrast in the UN's Africa agenda this week: one part focused on emergency response to a deepening conflict, the other on prevention and governance support.