Accra: Democratic Republic of the Congo National ownership is crucial for addressing the internal displacement crisis, a United Nations expert emphasized. The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is urged to lead efforts in protecting the over 7 million internally displaced persons affected by armed conflict, intercommunal violence, forced evictions, and disasters across the country.
According to African Press Organization, Paula Gaviria Betancur, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, highlighted the severity of the situation during an official visit to the country. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing one of the world’s largest internal displacement crises, worsened by the presence of Rwandan-backed AFC/M23 rebels in North and South Kivu.
The crisis has severely impacted displaced civilians, who have endured numerous human rights violations such as murder, summary executions, sexual and gender-based violence, forced labour, forced returns,
and being used as human shields amid ongoing conflicts and widespread violence.
The decline in international assistance underscores the need for the Government to take a leading role in providing coordinated and accountable responses to internal displacement. Gaviria Betancur expressed admiration for the resilience of internally displaced persons, noting their desire to return home safely and rebuild their lives with self-reliance.
She emphasized the importance of government-led solutions, supported by the international community, to create lasting resolutions for the displaced population. The world is called upon to support the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s internally displaced people, recognizing their prolonged suffering and right to sustainable peace.
The Special Rapporteur plans to present a comprehensive report on her findings to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2026. The statement was distributed by APO Group on behalf of the United Nations: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (
OHCHR).