DRC : millions of civilians trapped, UN calls on AFC/M23

SOS Médias Burundi

Goma, March 18, 2026 –
The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is gripped by a persistent humanitarian crisis, marked by armed violence, mass displacement, and limited access to aid. Faced with a situation that continues to deteriorate, the UN is calling on armed groups, particularly the AFC/M23, to remove obstacles to humanitarian assistance, as millions of civilians remain trapped by the fighting.

On a mission in the east of the country since March 16, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the DRC, Bruno Lemarquis, urged the leaders of the AFC/M23 rebellion to guarantee “safe, rapid, and unimpeded” access for humanitarian organizations.

This appeal comes after a meeting held in Goma with rebel leaders, headed by Corneille Nangaa. According to the UN official, discussions focused exclusively on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in a region marked by renewed fighting and massive population displacements.

Humanitarian access under pressure

Amid persistent clashes between the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) and armed groups, notably the AFC/M23, several areas of North Kivu remain difficult to access. Thousands of internally displaced persons and recently returned residents are living in precarious conditions, exposed to insecurity and a lack of assistance.

Bruno Lemarquis stressed the need to guarantee safe humanitarian access, reiterating that respect for international humanitarian law is essential for organizations to intervene effectively. He also emphasized that humanitarian aid is strictly apolitical and aims solely to support the most vulnerable populations.

Coordination needs strengthening

Discussions also focused on coordination mechanisms between humanitarian actors and local authorities. While a collaborative framework already exists, adjustments are deemed necessary to improve its effectiveness, in a context marked by fluctuating insecurity.

During his three-day mission, Bruno Lemarquis visited Sake and the Nyiragongo territory, two areas particularly affected by recent violence. There, he visited initiatives aimed at strengthening the resilience of local communities, which face repeated cycles of displacement and the loss of their livelihoods.

A deepening crisis

The eastern DRC remains mired in a protracted security and humanitarian crisis. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts at the regional and international levels, fighting continues to restrict humanitarian access in several areas.

Reactivated in 2021, the M23, composed primarily of Congolese Tutsis, has made a coalition with the Congo River Alliance (AFC), led by Corneille Nangaa, former president of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). The coalition advocates an ambitious political project : the establishment of a federal state in the DRC, which it presents as a response to governance imbalances and regional tensions.

On the ground, the AFC/M23 controls several strategic areas in North and South Kivu, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, as well as the Rubaya mining site, one of the world’s largest coltan deposits. This mineral, essential for the production of tantalum used in electronic components and advanced technologies, gives the coalition significant economic and strategic leverage at the heart of regional and international rivalries.

Coalition and failure of diplomatic initiatives

According to a recent UN expert report, disputed by Kigali, between 5,000 and 7,000 Rwandan soldiers are present alongside AFC/M23 fighters.

Furthermore, Burundi has deployed more than 29,000 soldiers in eastern Congo to support the FARDC and the Wazalendo militias. The coalition fighting against the AFC/M23 also includes, in some situations, elements of the FDLR, as observed by SOS Médias Burundi reporters on the ground.

The clashes continue despite the Washington Agreement signed on December 4, 2025, under the US mediation between the DRC and Rwanda, illustrating the limitations of diplomatic initiatives aimed at stabilizing the region. Burundi participated in this process as an observer, represented by President Évariste Ndayishimiye.

An emergency that can no longer wait

On the ground, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate as the fighting drags on. In several localities in North and South Kivu, access to water, food, and healthcare remains extremely limited for populations already weakened by years of conflict.

Faced with this emergency, humanitarian actors fear a rapid escalation of the crisis if concrete guarantees are not put in place to secure the intervention zones. For the United Nations, protecting the humanitarian space remains an absolute priority, as millions of lives still depend on effective access to aid.