- Sécurité
The United Nations Independent Investigative Commission, tasked with examining the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, delivered its inaugural official update on Monday, June 29, 2026. This presentation occurred during the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, following the Commission’s initial visit to Kinshasa, the DRC’s capital.
Speaking on behalf of the Commission to member states, civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and representatives from the DRC government, Arnauld Akodjenou, the Commission’s President, underscored that their preliminary mission had unequivocally confirmed the extraordinary severity of conditions in eastern DRC. He emphasized the critical need for a credible, independent, and victim-focused inquiry into the abuses.
President Akodjenou noted that the Commission engaged with survivors, senior government officials, civil society representatives, various UN entities, diplomats, and the national human rights institution. He explained, “While we were unable to visit Goma during this initial mission, we met with individuals and organizations from Goma and other areas within our mandate in Kinshasa. We intend to deploy directly to North and South Kivu as soon as circumstances permit. The information gathered points to a multifaceted crisis impacting civilians, exacerbated by population displacement, widespread disease, weakened institutions, and a complex regional environment.”
During its mission, the Commission received deeply disturbing accounts. These included testimonies concerning children, conflict-related sexual violence—specifically sexual slavery—forced recruitment, unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests, assaults on educational and healthcare facilities, as well as mistreatment and detention practices inconsistent with the rule of law. “We also heard testimonies detailing illegal roadblocks, alleged illicit taxation, obstruction of humanitarian access, and threats against human rights defenders, journalists, and others monitoring or reporting violations. These challenges are further compounded by the persistent threat of Ebola,” Akodjenou added.
Addressing both the delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Congolese people affected by the ongoing crisis, Akodjenou affirmed that the Commission fully comprehended the gravity of the situation in the DRC and the profound suffering endured by civilian populations in North Kivu, South Kivu, and beyond. He reassured them that the Commission’s sole objective was to independently and impartially ascertain the facts, without targeting any specific state, community, or institution.
“Our mandate is not directed against any state, community, or institution. It aims to establish facts with independence, rigor, and impartiality; to preserve evidence; to contribute to the fight against impunity; and to formulate effective recommendations for preventing future violations. At this stage, we are not prejudging facts or responsibilities. However, the information received is extremely serious. It necessitates an independent and methodical investigation, conducted under conditions that ensure the protection of victims, witnesses, human rights defenders, journalists, and all individuals who may cooperate with the Commission,” the President stressed.
The Independent Investigative Commission on the human rights situation in the provinces of South Kivu and North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, was established by the United Nations Human Rights Council on February 7, 2025. This occurred during an extraordinary session specifically addressing the human rights conditions in the country’s eastern region.
Resolution S-37/1 mandated the Commission to investigate the facts, circumstances, and underlying causes of all alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. This includes violations affecting women and children, those constituting sexual or gender-based violence, and abuses committed against displaced persons or refugees.
Furthermore, the Commission is tasked with examining potential international crimes within the context of the recent escalation of hostilities, which commenced in January 2025 and continues across the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
