UN Warns Of Surge In Trafficking And Sexual Slavery In DR Congo

KINSHASA: United Nations experts on Thursday warned about a significant increase in human trafficking for sexual exploitation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), exacerbated by ongoing conflict and displacement.

The eastern region of DR Congo, known for its mineral wealth, has been a focal point of conflict for three decades, involving both local militias and foreign armed groups dating back to conflicts in the 1990s.

The situation has recently escalated with the resurgence of M23 rebels, who have seized extensive territories and nearly encircled Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. The violence has resulted in numerous casualties and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians.

In a statement, experts mandated by the UN Human Rights Council revealed alarming statistics. “We are appalled by the numbers reported, with at least 531 victims of conflict-related sexual violence documented from August 2023 to June 2024 in North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, Tanganyika, and Maniema provinces,” they said.

The experts highlighted that many cases involved displaced women and girls who were abducted while conducting daily activities such as searching for food, gathering firewood, or engaging in farming. These individuals were subjected to sexual violence, exploitation, or slavery. Furthermore, the involvement of security and defence forces in these crimes was cited as a serious concern.

Expressing additional worries, the experts raised concerns over the closure of the UN mission in DR Congo, known as MONUSCO. “We are worried that with the withdrawal of MONUSCO, critical components of early warning systems for human rights violations will cease to function,” they emphasized.

MONUSCO recently completed its withdrawal from South Kivu and is scheduled to depart from North Kivu and Ituri, the last remaining active provinces, though the exact timeline has not been specified. Congolese authorities advocated for MONUSCO's withdrawal after 25 years, citing ineffectiveness in combating armed groups.

According to UN estimates, the DRC currently hosts approximately 7 million displaced persons, including 2.8 million in North Kivu alone, underscoring the severe humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.