DRC Prime Minister Advocates for Sanctions Against Rwanda at UN Human Rights Council
On Monday, February 24, 2025, Prime Minister and Head of Government, Judith Suminwa Tuluka, addressed the High-Level Segment of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Representing President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, Prime Minister Suminwa led a Congolese delegation that included the Minister of Human Rights, Chantal Chambu Mwavita, the Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya Katembwe, and the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Grâce Yamba Kazadi.
During her speech, Prime Minister Suminwa expressed gratitude for the swift processing of the DRC Government’s request last February.
She reaffirmed her Government’s commitment to facilitating the work of an Independent Commission of Inquiry to document violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in North Kivu and South Kivu, as mandated by the resolution passed on February 7, 2025.
The Human Rights Council had adopted a resolution, backed by all 47 member states, calling on the M23 and Rwanda to immediately cease human rights violations and abuses, as well as violations of international humanitarian law, in the Kivu provinces. The resolution also called for an investigation into these abuses.
Prime Minister Suminwa also welcomed the UN Security Council’s recent resolution, which for the first time unanimously condemned Rwanda and demanded that its defense forces cease supporting the M23 and withdraw unconditionally from the DRC.
The resolution further called on the M23 to end all hostilities, withdraw from all areas under its control, including Goma and Bukavu, and dismantle the parallel administrations it has established in Congolese territory.
However, Prime Minister Suminwa emphasized that these measures were not enough. She demanded dissuasive sanctions against Rwanda, stating, “In light of the massacres and summary executions it continues to perpetrate on our soil, we call for dissuasive sanctions to restore order and security, thus protecting millions of Congolese living in Goma, Bukavu, and other occupied areas.”
She also called for enhanced humanitarian support to care for the thousands of wounded and displaced persons, painting a grim picture of the situation, including widespread rape, the forced recruitment of children, and the orphaning of many children due to the ongoing violence.
At the opening of the session, Human Rights Council President Jürg Lauber urged member states to ensure that words translated into actions, questioning the effectiveness of measures taken so far.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the ongoing human rights violations in eastern DRC, blaming the M23 and Rwandan forces.
He declared, “It is time to silence the guns. The sovereignty of the DRC must be respected. The Congolese people deserve to live in peace,” warning of the risk of a regionalized crisis.
The High-Level Segment of the Human Rights Council will continue for three days, with the security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC being a major focus. This session offers hope for a favorable resolution toward a lasting solution to the crisis.
