Congolese armed forces and multiple armed groups are obstructing humanitarian aid and preventing civilians from fleeing conflict in the highlands of South Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Human Rights Watch stated in a report published on April 14, 2026. The rights group documented incidents where soldiers from the Congolese army (FARDC) and fighters from armed factions, including the Twirwaneho coalition, set up illegal checkpoints, demanded payments, and confiscated goods from aid convoys and civilians attempting to escape violence.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has repeatedly warned that access constraints are severely hampering the response in South Kivu, where over 1.7 million people are internally displaced. The blockades come amid a major offensive by the M23 rebel group, backed by the Rwandan army according to UN experts, further north in North Kivu province, which has intensified the regional humanitarian crisis and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Human Rights Watch called on the Congolese government to investigate and hold accountable members of its security forces involved in these abuses. It also urged all armed groups to immediately cease interfering with civilian movement and humanitarian operations, which violate international humanitarian law. The Congolese government has not yet issued a formal response to the latest allegations.
