As the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces an alarming resurgence of Ebola cases, the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICGGL) has called on all conflict parties in the East of the country to respect their international obligations. In a statement, the ICGGL emphasized that the spread of the virus is worsened by persistent insecurity and lack of humanitarian access.

The joint declaration, signed by representatives from several countries including Belgium, France, and the United States, highlights that military operations between the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and armed groups have recently occurred in areas affected by Ebola. These clashes make it difficult to establish essential checkpoints to curb the spread of the virus.

“Insecurity hinders our efforts,” said a local health official. “Without secure access to the affected areas, we cannot ensure an effective response to this epidemic,” he added. The situation is particularly concerning as recent incidents have been attributed to armed groups, further complicating the mobilization of necessary resources.

According to information reported by Africanews, the World Health Organization (WHO) has also expressed concern about the impact of violence on response efforts. Recent security incidents have been reported in several areas, where the Ebola virus continues to spread despite ongoing efforts.

The ICGGL has therefore issued an urgent call to all warring factions to facilitate not only humanitarian access but also the implementation of necessary health measures to control this epidemic. The international community is closely monitoring this situation, which could have disastrous consequences if no swift action is taken.