DRC: Respect for and Strengthening of International Humanitarian Law in Areas Under AFC/M23 Control

On March 26, 2026, the international humanitarian organization Geneva Call signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the AFC/M23 movement. The purpose of this agreement is to establish a humanitarian dialogue in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu.

Geneva Call has been active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since 2014. The organization works with all parties involved in the conflict while maintaining a strictly humanitarian approach based on the principles of neutrality, impartiality, humanity, and independence. Through sustained engagement with a wide range of armed groups and de facto authorities, Geneva Call seeks to reduce the impact of armed conflict on civilian populations and promote lasting improvements in behavior.

This partnership highlights, on the one hand, the clear commitment of the AFC/M23 authorities to ensure and strengthen transparency regarding respect for human rights and international humanitarian law in the areas under their control. On the other hand, it reflects Geneva Call's determination to support the establishment of dialogue mechanisms while providing training and tailored guidance to personnel at various levels and ranks within AFC/M23. The objective is to integrate respect for civilians and humanitarian norms into operations and decision-making processes, thereby creating safer conditions for communities affected by conflict in eastern DRC, particularly in North and South Kivu.

Following the visit of Geneva Call's Director General, Alain Délétroz, to Goma in March 2026, a delegation from the organization traveled to Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province, to establish a local office there for the first time. During the visit, the delegation met with local authorities, including the Governor of South Kivu, Mr. Patrick Busu-Bwa-Ngwi Nshombo.

This visit reflects the commitment and shared determination of Geneva Call and AFC/M23 to work together to ensure respect for international humanitarian law. The establishment of a presence in South Kivu represents a concrete step toward strengthening civilian protection by promoting dialogue and encouraging compliance with humanitarian standards.