Open call to policy and decision-makers meeting at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC),African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC), and the East African Commission (EAC) Heads ofState Summit

“The nights are not safe”


(29 January 2025) AWA is forwarding the following list of requests after consulting 91 representatives of civil society, spanning humanitarian organisations and human rights activists who convened on 28 January together with partners, sisters and brothers from the eastern DRC out of concern for the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian catastrophe in Goma and surrounding areas. Our Congolese partners have asked us to convey these messages as they seek refuge while their homes are being bombed and shelled and while they are being held under siege without access to humanitarian assistance or the ability to call for help.

  1. Stop the violence: The governments of the DRC and Rwanda, alongside the M23 and the other armed groups must come together and dialogue. All parties must be pressured to the negotiating table and bring an immediate end to the violence.
  2. Observe international law at all times: All parties to the conflict must observe international law and prioritise the protection of civilians. Stop bombing hospitals and other infrastructure that serves ordinary people. Allow medical services and support freedom of movement and access to the camps by humanitarian actors.
  3. Facilitate and/or open humanitarian corridors: Corridors can allow the flow of much-needed humanitarian aid into Goma and allow those who want to escape the violence to do so. Corridors between Goma and Minova and between Goma and Rwanda must be established as a matter of urgency.
  4. Lift the communications black-out: Resume cell phone and internet connectivity.
  5. Call for the review of the EU’s funding of the Rwandan military: The EU needs to show consistency in its international dealings and should review the advisability of funding of Rwanda’s military when it is implicated in the conflict in DRC.
  6. Hold all the parties accountable: The international community needs to hold both Rwanda and the DRC accountable for arming the groups leading the ongoing violence.
  7. Stop the illicit extraction of, and trade in, minerals: The international community must hold the companies that are trading in the natural resources extracted from eastern Congo accountable.

Background
In the last 48 hours, the already dire humanitarian situation in the eastern DRC has spiralled to catastrophic levels. North Kivu, and its capital, Goma, hosts over 2.7 million internally displaced people. The city has received an additional 400,000 displaced since the beginning of 2025 alone. This surge in numbers has been caused by escalating tensions that have now led to the advance of the M23 militia. Goma is now completely occupied by M23 – all access points have been shut down and all communications have been severed.

Escalations in recent months have already constrained humanitarian responses and prolonged attacks and road blockages have impeded access to health services, food and other essential services. With the occupation, Goma is now completely inaccessible for humanitarian assistance.

Apart from the emergency care needs of civilians caught up in the crossfire, the city’s residents remain at risk for cholera which requires urgent action. Also alarming are the reports of increased sexual violence and rape meted out against women – the nights are not safe in Goma.