Democratic Republic of Congo's Human Rights Minister, Samuel Mbemba, has called on the UN Human Rights Council to impose sanctions on Rwandan officials, including former Congolese President Joseph Kabila and former Electoral Commission chief Corneille Nangaa, for their alleged involvement in atrocities in eastern DRC. Mbemba made the appeal during the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. He cited continued massive human rights violations by Rwandan forces and their allies, including the M23 rebel group.
Mbemba reported that his country is facing severe human rights abuses, including mass killings, rapes, torture, enforced disappearances, forced displacement, and economic and military exploitation of children. He specifically mentioned that on August 2, 2026, Rwandan forces arrested 37 young people protesting against the presence of Rwandan troops in Minova, and 17 of them were systematically raped. These abuses, he said, are well-documented by human rights organizations.
The minister highlighted a report by Amnesty International, published on September 21, 2026, which documented summary executions, torture, arbitrary detention, forced labor, and pillage in the North and South Kivu provinces. The report also revealed that gold and coltan trafficking to Rwanda from mining areas in the DRC continues. Mbemba urged the international community to take action against those responsible for these abuses.
Despite the grim situation, Mbemba assured the Council that the Congolese government is committed to promoting and protecting human rights. He cited efforts to combat impunity, strengthen the use of forensic medicine, and implement transitional justice. The government, he said, is also working to redynamize provincial human rights divisions and enhance the capacity of public agents and security forces in human rights and international humanitarian law.
Mbemba emphasized that the Congolese government does not have a policy of restricting public freedoms or violating human rights. He noted that isolated cases of abuses are sanctioned, citing 560 convictions mentioned in the High Commissioner's report. Investigations are underway into recent allegations of human rights abuses during political demonstrations.
The minister requested technical assistance to be coordinated and tailored to the specific needs of Congolese institutions. He called for support in implementing transitional justice, strengthening national capacities for medico-legal investigations, and identifying and exhuming victims. Mbemba also appealed for assistance in training a new generation of Congolese forensic doctors and specialists.
Mbemba concluded his speech by calling on UN member states, agencies, and international financial institutions to mobilize resources to implement UN Resolution 60/35 effectively. He requested that the High Commissioner provide the Independent Investigation Commission deployed to the DRC with the necessary means to complete its mission by March 2027.
Key points
- The Democratic Republic of Congo's Human Rights Minister, Samuel Mbemba, has urged the UN Human Rights Council to impose sanctions on Rwandan officials for atrocities committed in eastern DRC.
- Mbemba reported widespread human rights abuses, including mass killings, rapes, and forced displacement, committed by Rwandan forces and their allies in eastern DRC.
- The Congolese government has assured the international community of its commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, despite facing significant challenges in the eastern regions.
