Amid worsening insecurity in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has announced the creation of an independent investigative commission to examine human rights abuses in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu.
The decision follows Resolution S-37/1, adopted on February 7, 2025, in Geneva, during a special session of the Council that addressed the long-standing conflict in eastern Congo — a region plagued by decades of violence, sexual abuse, and massive internal displacement.
👩🏾⚖️ Three Experts Appointed
The commission comprises three independent experts led by Ambassador Jürg Lauber (Switzerland), Chair of the Human Rights Council:
• Arnauld Akodjenou (Benin) – Senior diplomat and former UNHCR official.
• Maxine Marcus (Germany/USA) – Expert in international humanitarian law.
• Clément Nyaletsossi Voule (Togo) – Former UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to peaceful assembly and association.
🎯 Mandate and Objectives
The commission is tasked with:
• Establishing facts on killings, sexual violence, and other human rights violations;
• Identifying perpetrators “where possible” and recommending measures to fight impunity;
• Focusing on gender-based violence, abuses against children, and the plight of internally displaced persons.
🕐 Timeline
Under Resolution 60/22 (October 7, 2025), the experts’ appointments will be finalized by the end of this year, with investigations beginning in January 2026.
Reports will be issued in three stages:
• Preliminary Report: June–July 2026 (62nd UNHRC Session)
• Final Report: February–April 2027 (64th Session)
• Formal Presentation: United Nations General Assembly, 2027
International observers and Congolese citizens now await to see whether this probe will finally break the cycle of violence and impunity that has haunted eastern Congo for decades — and pave the way for lasting peace.
✍️ Reporter: Mangwa – MecaMediaAfrica.com
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