Crisis in Eastern DRC not just a national emergency – African CSOs

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Eastern and Southern Africa have described the crisis in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as more than just a national emergency, calling it "a regional test of Africa’s collective responsibility to prevent conflict, uphold human rights, and protect civilians."

They stressed that the suffering of innocent people and the escalating tensions demand urgent, decisive, and sustained action from all stakeholders.

The CSOs have urged leaders of the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the African Union (AU) to take bold and coordinated measures that go beyond rhetoric and deliver tangible results for peace and stability.

The statement was signed by representatives of ten organizations, including the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), the East Africa Civil Society Organisations’ Forum (EACSOF), the East African Community Think Tank Association (EACTTA), the East African Law Society (EALS), and the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR). Other signatories include the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), Notre Société Civile du Congo (Nscisco Asbl), the Southern African Council of NGOs, the Southern African Development Community Lawyers Association (SADC LA), and the Women’s International Peace Centre (WIPC).

The CSOs called on the international community to provide diplomatic, technical, and humanitarian support to de-escalate the crisis. They reaffirmed their commitment to advocacy and holding all actors accountable for their roles in the conflict. They emphasized that history will judge Africa not by words, but by actions, stressing that now is the time for courageous leadership, regional unity, and an unwavering commitment to peace.

While acknowledging the January 3, 2025, ceasefire announcement as a critical step, the CSOs warned that its success depends on immediate and sustained enforcement. Without proper monitoring, they cautioned, previous ceasefires have collapsed, leading to further civilian suffering. They urged the EAC and SADC to establish an independent regional monitoring mechanism to track compliance, prevent violations, and ensure accountability. They also called for the enforcement of the UN Sanctions Regime for the DRC (Resolution 1533, 2004) against actors who violate ceasefire agreements.

The humanitarian situation in Goma, they noted, is catastrophic, with widespread hunger, inadequate medical care, and thousands of displaced persons left without shelter. They stressed the urgent need to restore access to electricity, water, and healthcare, in line with the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons (Kampala Convention, 2009). Additionally, they urged that humanitarian organizations be granted safe and unrestricted access to deliver aid, in accordance with Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions and the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (1998).

The CSOs called on the United Nations and international donors to scale up humanitarian assistance in line with the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit’s Grand Bargain Agreement. They emphasized that civilians, particularly women, children, and displaced populations, must be guaranteed protection in compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace, and Security.

Highlighting the dangers faced by humanitarian workers, journalists, and civil society actors, the CSOs condemned attacks against civilians and aid workers as war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998, Article 8) and demanded investigations into such violations. They urged regional leaders and multilateral organizations to uphold protections for civil society actors and independent media, referencing the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa (African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, 2019) and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948).

To support mediation efforts, the CSOs proposed the establishment of a neutral and independent High-Level Mediation Committee under Article 33 of the UN Charter. This committee, they suggested, should bring together eminent African leaders, respected conflict resolution experts, and former heads of state to lead direct negotiations between conflicting parties. They urged that these efforts align with the Addis Ababa Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework (2013) to ensure a coherent and sustainable peace process.

Addressing the root causes of the conflict, the CSOs pointed to sentiments of marginalization, discrimination, and the illicit extraction and trade of minerals as major contributing factors. They warned that armed groups continue to exploit natural resources, using illegal revenues to sustain violence. They called on regional leaders to strengthen governance mechanisms, increase transparency in mineral supply chains, and tighten border security to curb the illicit flow of arms and resources. They emphasized that sustainable peace in the DRC will not be achieved unless the economic and governance dimensions of the conflict are comprehensively addressed.

While high-level diplomatic engagements remain essential, the CSOs stressed that local conflict resolution processes must not be overlooked. They highlighted the importance of community-based peacebuilding initiatives, which have played a crucial role in preventing violence at the grassroots level. They voiced their support for civil society-led efforts advocating for an all-inclusive national dialogue in the DRC, ensuring that local communities, women, and youth are actively involved in shaping peace efforts.

Reiterating their call for decisive action, the CSOs urged the EAC and SADC to hold both state and non-state actors accountable for perpetuating violence. They demanded that both the DRC and Rwanda be held responsible for their roles in fueling instability. Additionally, they called for governance mechanisms to regulate the extraction and trade of minerals, ensuring that conflict resources do not continue to fund armed groups. They stressed the need for targeted sanctions and legal measures to deter external interference and prevent impunity for war crimes.

The worsening crisis in the Eastern DRC, marked by the capture of Goma and the conflict spreading into North and South Kivu, has plunged the region into a severe humanitarian and security emergency. The violence has led to mass displacement, indiscriminate attacks on civilians, famine, and a surge in sexual and gender-based violence, disproportionately affecting women and children. The escalating hostilities between neighboring states have heightened the risk of a broader regional conflict, threatening not only peace and stability in Eastern and Southern Africa but also economic integration and cooperation.