Official Statement on the Humanitarian Crisis in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

H.E. Amb. Amma A. Twum-Amoah - Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development,

African Union Commission

04 April 2025

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Your Excellency Hadja Lahbib, European Union Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management,

Your Excellency Tom Fletcher, United Nations Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator,

Honourable Ministers,

It is my pleasure to address this very important meeting on one of the most pressing humanitarian crises of our time - the ongoing plight of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of our Member States. This meeting is timely and indicative of the urgency needed to address the current unfavourable development in that country.

The African Union Commission (AUC) is deeply concerned about the persistent violence and rapid increase in humanitarian crisis in the eastern part of DRC, which bears the brunt of the crisis. The recent surge in violence, has curtailed normal life, bringing untold hardship to the citizens, mostly to women and children. A lot of citizens have lost their lives and close neighbours are experiencing the spillover effect due to periodic border crossing by thousands of displaced people. The Kivu provinces are now very difficult to access by ordinary people because they are under siege by rebel forces closing main routes and thus putting strain on humanitarian relief efforts.

The Commission, through its Peace and Security Council, has been closely monitoring the developments, and working around the clock to end this situation, which involves engaging the concerned parties to dialogues, respect International Humanitarian Law and the protection of civilians, educational infrastructures, IDP camps and medical establishments. It is worthy of note that, the East African Community (EAC) and the South African Development Community (SADC) have established a joint coordination mechanism to pursue immediate, short-term and long-term measures to attain sustainable peace and security in eastern DRC.

In the spirit of Pan-Africanism and in solidarity with the people and Government of the DRC, the African Union (AU) has decided to establish and send a Humanitarian Assessment Team (HAT), to be composed of voluntary Member State experts, to the DRC and affected countries, to assess the humanitarian needs, and to provide minimum emergency assistance to the devastated population.

Also, on 27^th February 2025, the Government of DRC and humanitarian partners launched the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan, seeking an amount of $2.54 billion to assist 11 million people, including 7.8 million IDPs. Honourable Ministers, I believe that it is imperative to have everyone come on board for this clarion call.   

Even though much as been done, the humanitarian situation in eastern DRC requires rapid interventions, as medical facilities continue to be overwhelmed with a lot of cases and public institutions are turned into poorly equipped IDP camps. These challenges are not peculiar to DRC alone, but extends to neighbouring countries, including Burundi and Uganda, that are receiving many refugees and asylum seekers from DRC.

The African Union Commission reiterates its call to all parties involved in the conflict to cease fire and prioritise the well-being of civilians by ensuring unimpeded access to a humanitarian corridor and the immediate re-opening of the Goma International Airport as well as the Kavumu Airport, for effective delivery of humanitarian aid to all affected populations.

The AUC underlines and emphasizes the need for urgent humanitarian need assessment, emergency assistance, and lifesaving interventions through the support of all humanitarian actors, regional and international communities. Alleviating the plight of refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), needs joint efforts in containing and responding to the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC.

Moving forward, Honourable Ministers, we should focus on peacebuilding efforts by addressing the root causes of conflict, such as the exploitation of natural resources and systemic corruption. We must support transitional justice initiatives to heal wounds and foster reconciliation.  It is critical for us to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those who need it the most by working together to overcome barriers of access and funding.

The people of the DRC deserve a future free from fear and hunger, a future where children can dream, families can thrive and communities can rebuild their lives.

The AUC wishes to express that it remains actively seized on this matter concerning our Member State.

I thank you.