The sixty-second session of the Human Rights Council, featuring an enhanced interactive dialogue, heard testimony this Monday, June 29, 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland, from the Independent Investigative Commission on Human Rights violations in the North-Kivu and South-Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This marked the Commission’s first public appearance following its initial mission to Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC.

During its maiden mission to the DRC, the Commission conducted extensive consultations in Kinshasa. It held private meetings with representatives from victim support organizations, human rights defenders, civil society leaders, government officials, United Nations entities, diplomats, and the national human rights institution.

Despite security and health challenges preventing access to Goma, a major city in eastern DRC, the Commission remains determined to visit the affected zones in North-Kivu and South-Kivu—including Goma—as soon as conditions permit. However, the Commission faces an additional hurdle: financial constraints imposed by the United Nations, which have significantly hampered its operational capabilities.

Operational challenges and the Commission’s resolve

The financial strain on the United Nations has directly impacted the Commission’s ability to deploy investigation teams, secure interpretation services, access analytical support, fund field missions, and maintain a consistent presence on the ground. Arnauld Akodjenou, Chair of the Commission, emphasized the gravity of the situation:

“The broader financial constraints facing the United Nations have directly weakened our operational capacity—limiting our deployable investigation teams, interpretation services, analytical support, mission funding, and sustained field presence. Despite these obstacles, the Commission remains fully committed to fulfilling its mandate with independence, rigor, and diligence. The suffering brought to our attention demands unwavering attention, thorough investigations, and a resolute international response.”

Underlining the urgency of the matter, Akodjenou reiterated the obligation of all parties involved to facilitate safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access—especially for women, children, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups.

Ensuring safety for witnesses and humanitarians

The Chair of the Commission stressed the critical need for humanitarian workers, medical personnel, and protection actors to safely reach victims and affected communities, particularly in the context of the ongoing Ebola response. He warned against intimidation, retaliation, or reprisals against any individual—victims, witnesses, human rights defenders, journalists, or community leaders—for collaborating with United Nations mechanisms, including the Commission.

Akodjenou highlighted the Commission’s mandate to establish facts, preserve evidence, identify perpetrators for accountability, and examine the root causes of recurring violence. “This work has already begun,” he stated. “It is essential to safeguard the security, dignity, and trust of victims and witnesses.”

Mandate and mission of the Commission

The Independent Investigative Commission on Human Rights in North-Kivu and South-Kivu was established by the United Nations Human Rights Council on February 7, 2025, during an extraordinary session addressing the human rights situation in eastern DRC. The resolution S-37/1 tasked the Commission with investigating alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including those targeting women and children, gender-based and sexual violence, and crimes against displaced or refugee populations.

The Commission is also mandated to examine potential international crimes amid the recent escalation of hostilities, which began in January 2025 and continues across the North-Kivu and South-Kivu provinces in the DRC.