DRC CONFLICT! UN Raises Alarm Over Surge in Human Trafficking in Eastern Provinces

By Defraise Enosh MUHINDO

The United Nations has expressed a grave concern over the alarming rise in human trafficking in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in the eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri.

Fueled by ongoing armed conflict, this crisis disproportionately affects women, children, and displaced populations, who face sexual exploitation, slavery, forced marriages, and recruitment into armed groups. During an official visit to the DRC from July 15 to 25, 2025, Siobhán Mullally, the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, assessed the situation and called for urgent international action.

Eastern DRC remains gripped by chronic insecurity, driven by the actions of armed groups and the M23, which Congolese authorities accuses of receiving support from Rwanda, an allegation that Kigali denies.

This conflict has displaced 7.8 million people, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), including 700,000 since the M23 last offensive began in early 2025. Among these displaced individuals, 41% are school-age children, who are particularly vulnerable to trafficking. For instance, in displacement camps around Goma, local NGOs report cases of young girls forced into prostitution to survive, while boys are coerced into joining militias.

During her mission, Siobhán Mullally met with victims, local authorities, and civil society organizations in Goma, Bukavu, and Kinshasa. She documented harrowing cases, such as a 14-year-old girl abducted by an armed group in Ituri and forced into a “marriage” with a fighter. These findings, shared during a press conference in Kinshasa on July 25, underscore the crisis’s severity. “Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights, amplified by the impunity of armed groups and the lack of protection for displaced populations,” Mullally stated.

Human trafficking in the DRC is rooted in a confluence of crises: insecurity, extreme poverty, and weak rule of law. The conflict in the east, fueled by tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, complicates stabilization efforts. Accusations of Rwanda’s support for the M23, corroborated by UN expert reports, have heightened regional friction, undermining peace agreements like the 2023 Luanda Accord. Additionally, the illegal exploitation of natural resources, such as gold and cobalt, finances armed groups and perpetuates violence, creating a vicious cycle that enables trafficking.

The lack of resources for victims poses a significant challenge. Shelters for trafficking survivors, often run by NGOs, are underfunded and understaffed. For example, a UNICEF-supported center in Bukavu can only accommodate 30 people at a time, despite hundreds of victims needing assistance. Impunity for traffickers, many linked to transnational criminal networks, further exacerbates the crisis. “Perpetrators operate with impunity, exploiting the chaos in conflict zones,” lamented a representative from Women for Women International.

Responses and Proposed Solutions

To address the crisis, Siobhán Mullally outlined several urgent recommendations:

Strengthen Protection for Vulnerable Populations: Establish safe zones in displacement camps and increase funding for shelters to support trafficking survivors.

Combat Impunity: Prosecute trafficking perpetrators, including armed group leaders, through mechanisms like the International Criminal Court (ICC) and national courts.

Promote Regional Cooperation: Revive regional negotiations, facilitated by the African Union, to de-escalate tensions between the DRC and Rwanda and curb the influence of armed groups.

Support for Survivors: Implement social and economic reintegration programs, including education and vocational training for trafficking victims.

The Congolese government, represented by Minister of Human Rights Chantal Chambu Mwavita, reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with the UN to combat trafficking. National initiatives, such as a task force to address child trafficking in the east, have been launched, but they face logistical constraints. “We strongly condemn these violations and are working to strengthen our judicial and security capacities,” the minister declared.

The UN has urged the international community to bolster support for the DRC, including funding humanitarian programs and strengthening the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). Mullally also emphasized protecting schools and places of worship, often targeted by armed groups, and upholding regional peace agreements.

A comprehensive report on the situation will be presented by Mullally to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2026. Until then, experts warn that the crisis risks worsening without immediate action.

“Human trafficking in the DRC is not just a national issue but a regional and global crisis requiring a collective response,” Mullally concluded.