In response to the recent withdrawal of the Congo River Alliance-March 23 Movement (AFC/M23), Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka has convened an emergency cabinet meeting to address the humanitarian crisis. The meeting, attended by senior security officials and government ministers, focused on developing a comprehensive response to the extensive displacement caused by the nearly two-month occupation.
The Prime Minister revealed that the rebel occupation has resulted in the displacement of approximately 267,000 individuals, including a particularly vulnerable group of 12,000 unaccompanied minors. Addressing this mass displacement, Suminwa Tuluka identified facilitating the safe return of these populations as the government’s immediate priority.
However, the Prime Minister established strict protocols for repatriation efforts, mandating that no return operations be authorized without thorough preliminary assessments of residential conditions. This cautious approach aims to prevent further vulnerability among returning populations. The Ministry of Social Affairs and the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) have been tasked with implementing these assessment protocols and managing the return process.
Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya further elaborated that the administration faces significant challenges in restoring public services in Uvira, where suspected AFC/M23 elements may still operate. The effective reestablishment of governmental authority and public services in these areas remains a critical component of the stabilization strategy.