Now is the time to end the crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN Secretary-General said on Thursday in a briefing to journalists in New York.
António Guterres made the "special appeal for peace" ahead of two major meetings to address the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group's brutal offensive across the region.
"We are at a pivotal moment and it is time to rally together for peace," he said, speaking from the Security Council stakeout position.
"We need the active and constructive role of all players -- namely neighbouring countries, subregional organizations, the African Union and the United Nations."
Thousands killed and displaced
Eastern DRC is rich in minerals and other natural resources and has been plagued by conflict for decades. More than 100 armed groups reportedly operate in the area.
Fighting between the M23 and Congolese government forces escalated in January, with the rebels capturing the regional capital, Goma, before heading south towards the key city of Bukavu, capital of South Kivu province.
Thousands of people have been killed, including women and children, and hundreds of thousands have been forced from their homes.
"We also see the continued threat by other armed groups, either Congolese or foreign," said Mr. Guterres. "All of this is having an enormous human toll."
Countless violations and abuses
He highlighted the countless reports of human rights abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence, forced recruitment, and the disruption of lifesaving aid.
The humanitarian situation in and around Goma is perilous, he said.
Hundreds of thousands are now on the move, with many of the previous sites hosting displaced people north of the city now looted, destroyed or abandoned.
