This week, violence resumes in eastern DRC despite ceasefire. Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments agree on joint peace strategy. UN details funding gaps for aid in South Sudan.
Violence Resumes in Eastern DRC Despite Ceasefire
Despite a ceasefire that began on February 18, violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has resumed, africanews reported on February 23. Both the Congolese government and M23 rebels accuse each other of violating the ceasefire.
Kifara Kapenda Kyk’y, mayor of the city of Uvira, said the government is “very respectful, since it is the one that really needs peace, while the rebels do not need peace…”
However, the M23 rejected the allegations, blaming the government for the hostilities. The M23 accused the government of strikes and ground offensives targeting their positions and surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the fighting, with more people being displaced. As of September 2025, 8.2 million people were displaced in DRC, projected to reach 9 million by end-2026, according to the UN.
Pakistan’s Federal and Provincial Governments Agree on Joint Peace Strategy
In a meeting on February 25, Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments agreed on a joint peace strategy. The country has recently experienced an increase in terror attacks, particularly in in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Balochistan.
Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry said the top priority was “Protection of citizens’ lives and property…” He said the meeting also addressed the threat level following strikes by Pakistan in neighbouring Afghanistan.
Chaudhry asserted that a prerequisite for peace in Pakistan was an end to the use of Afghan soil for terrorism in Pakistan. He advised Afghanistan to implement the Doha agreement, which bars the use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities. Chaudhry added that federal and provincial governments would take all possible steps to root out terrorism.
UN Details Funding Gaps for Aid in South Sudan
The UN is continuing to speak out about the dire situation involving funding gaps for humanitarian aid in South Sudan amidst the country’s conflict. The UN’s International Migration Organization (IOM) said on February 25 that it requires requires just over US$131 million for operations in South Sudan this year, but faces a US$29 million funding gap.
The northern town of Renk is particularly feeling the strain of this funding gap. The IOM said, “Emergency assistance, health screening, protection support, and onward transportation remain critical to stabilizing new arrivals and easing the burden on host communities already facing limited resources.”
The IOM is supporting the authorities by piloting government-led solutions under the UN Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement.
On February 10, UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said cost-cutting measures have already reduced protection patrols by up to 40 percent in some areas, and as much as 70 percent where bases have closed. In Jonglei state, violence between Government forces and opposition elements has displaced more than 280,000 people, according to government sources.
After the country experienced a civil war in 2013 which killed over 400,000 people, South Sudan’s fragile peace has been deteriorating since 2025, despite a peace agreement signed in 2018.
Keywords: DRC, Congo, Pakistan, South Sudan, peace, conflict, conflict resolution, ceasefire
Tara Abhasakun is Peace News Network (PNN)'s managing editor. She is journalist based in Christchurch, New Zealand, and formerly in Bangkok, Thailand. She has reported on a range of human rights issues involving youth protests in Thailand, as well as arts and culture. Tara's work has appeared in several outlets, including Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.
