EU Pushes Humanitarian Access in M23-Controlled Goma in DR Congo

EU Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib’s visit to Goma underscores a sharpened European focus on humanitarian access and international humanitarian law (IHL) compliance in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where fighting has persisted despite a February ceasefire initiative.

Humanitarian Mandate Meets Reality

Lahbib became the first senior European official to travel to Goma since the city was seized by M23/AFC rebels during a rapid offensive in January 2025. Speaking after meetings with local authorities and hospital staff, she described the situation as “catastrophic” and warned of “increasing and flagrant violations of international humanitarian law.” The visit formed the final leg of a regional circuit that included Kinshasa, Kigali, and Bujumbura.

Her remarks aligned with the European Union’s decision this week to release €81.2 million - approximately $88 million - in humanitarian assistance for conflict-affected populations across the Great Lakes region.

Lahbib emphasized that aid delivery and civilian protection remain inseparable, telling reporters: “From Kinshasa to Kigali, Bujumbura, and now Goma, I have one message: respect for humanitarian law.”

Dialogue Signals, Ceasefire Friction

In Goma, Lahbib held talks with representatives of the March 23 Movement (M23) and its political-military ally, the Congo River Alliance (AFC). She said there were indications the movement wished to move “forwards, towards dialogue, peace, towards a ceasefire.”

The comments came amid developments that M23 had agreed to release prisoners captured from the Wazalendo militia and the Congolese armed forces.

Yet, ceasefire conditions remain fragile. Angola, mediating the crisis since 2022, proposed on Feb. 11 that a truce take effect on Feb. 18.

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi said he had accepted the proposal “in a spirit of responsibility and de-escalation.”

On Friday, however, the Congolese army accused M23 of attacks on its positions and nearby villages earlier in the week, while M23 accused government forces of violence against civilians, particularly in South Kivu’s Hauts Plateaux.

Competing Narratives on Access

Corneille Nangaa, leader of the AFC coalition aligned with M23, rejected Lahbib’s characterization of conditions in rebel-held territory. He argued that the humanitarian crisis was “dramatic and catastrophic” especially in areas under government control, citing Uvira, Beni, and Bunia.

Nangaa said AFC/M23 forces do not obstruct humanitarian operations and remain open to organizations seeking to assist civilians.

The dispute extends to infrastructure critical for aid logistics. Goma’s airport has been shut since January 2025.

Addressing repeated international appeals for reopening, Nangaa said external partners had previously “knocked on the wrong door,” adding that discussions were now underway with de facto authorities.

Regional Diplomacy and Commitments

During her regional tour, Lahbib met Tshisekedi in Kinshasa and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Kigali. She stated: “We discussed the urgent challenges in the Great Lakes region and the path to lasting peace.”

The following day in Goma, Lahbib said: “I came to Goma with a humanitarian mandate,” noting that aid must reach those in need without delay, “through secure humanitarian corridors” and stressed that “International Humanitarian Law must be respected to protect civilians.”

Lahbib concluded they received commitments from all sides, while cautioning that implementation, not pledges, would define outcomes on the ground.