Congolese Rights Leader Warns Crisis Worsens Despite Talks

A Congolese human rights leader has warned that conditions in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to deteriorate despite recent diplomatic efforts.

Dismas Kitenge Senga, president of the Groupe Lotus organization based in Kisangani, said daily life in areas affected by the AFC-M23 rebellion has sharply worsened. Large parts of eastern Congo remain under rebel control following renewed offensives, with governance structures and economic activity severely disrupted.

“There’s no longer any direct transport or communication between the east and west,” Kitenge said, describing how residents must transit through Rwanda to reach other parts of their own country.

He added that civil servants remain unpaid and local economies have collapsed, while goods circulate only under tight restrictions.

Kitenge said the Washington Agreement, signed with U.S. backing, has not delivered a ceasefire. “The fighting continues,” he stated, noting that violence has expanded into areas previously unaffected by the conflict.

The persistence of hostilities highlights the limits of diplomatic agreements amid entrenched security dynamics involving the M23 movement. The group, which resurged in recent years, continues to hold territory following its advances, complicating stabilization efforts.

Public skepticism toward the agreement is also tied to its economic dimensions. Kitenge said many Congolese fear that provisions enabling foreign investment, particularly by American companies, may not translate into tangible benefits for local populations.

Eastern Congo’s vast mineral wealth remains central to the conflict. Kitenge stressed that communities expect resource agreements to improve living conditions, stating that people want to “truly feel that their resources are bringing them well-being.”

Concerns are heightened by longstanding accusations that Rwanda benefits from Congolese mineral extraction. Although Kigali denies such claims, the perception continues to shape public opinion in the DRC.

The activist argued that economic grievances, combined with insecurity, reinforce cycles of instability, particularly in regions where state authority is weak.

Kitenge pointed to recent U.S. sanctions on Rwanda’s military as evidence that external pressure can influence behavior. He said, “These sanctions need to be stepped up until all Rwandan troops leave Congolese territory,” advocating for sustained international action.

Beyond sanctions, he called for structural reforms, including stronger democratic governance, functioning judicial systems to address war crimes, and more self-sufficient national economies capable of resisting external exploitation.

The conflict’s humanitarian toll remains a central concern. “Congolese victims feel abandoned by the world,” Kitenge said, adding, “All we ask for is justice, peace, and equal respect for the people of the DRC.”