New York, United States - January 31, 2025 The United Nations (UN) called for "all diplomatic efforts" to end the hostilities in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and avert the potential for wider conflict. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix briefed journalists on the latest situation in the country at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday, as the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group and Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) continued their march toward the city of Bukavu after taking control of Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province. The UN peacekeeping chief said the situation in Goma remains "tense and volatile," with occasional shooting continuing within the city, adding that overall calm has been gradually restored. Water and electricity have been recovered in much of the city, but the challenge of unexploded ordnance has severely restricted the free movement of persons, he said. Lacroix also warned of the worsening humanitarian crisis with serious challenges invovling clear water, food supplies and sanitation. He stressed that diplomatic engagement and dialogue remain the only effective settlement way, calling for a cessation of fighting through political and diplomatic means to prevent a wider conflict in the region. On the same day, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNCHR) said at least two displacement camps in the DRC were bombed, causing civilian casualties. In rebel-held areas such as Minova in South Kivu Province, displaced people have been forced to leave camps. Warning against the escalation risks of conflict-related violence, especially sexual violence, the UN agency called for an end to the violence and urged all parties to uphold their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Shotlist: UN Headquarters, New York City - Jan 31, 2025: FILE: UN Headquarters, New York City - Date Unknown 1. United Nations headquarters; UN Headquarters, New York City - Jan 31, 2025 2. Press briefing in progress; 3. Various of reporters; 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations of United Nations: "What we're seeing is the additional movement by the M23 and the RDF towards the south, Bukavu. And we are concerned, not only as far as the eastern DRC is concerned, but this has, if you look at the past, this has the potential of triggering a wider regional conflict. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that all diplomatic efforts should be geared toward avoiding this and bringing about the cessation of hostilities."; 5. Press briefing in progress; FILE: UN Headquarters, New York City - Date Unknown 6. UN logo; 7. Various of UN flag; FILE: Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo - 2018 8. Various of cityscape; buildings, lake, trees; FILE: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo - 2018 9. Traffic, pedestrians, buildings; FILE: Kinshasa, DR Congo - 2018 10. National flag of Democratic Republic of Congo; statue; FILE: Goma, DR Congo - Aug 28, 2023 11. Various of camp for displaced people. [Restriction - For news purpose only/No archive/Not for other production use, No access Chinese mainland]