The International Committee of the Red Cross (CICR) and the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have agreed to strengthen their collaboration to improve humanitarian action and detention conditions across the country, particularly in eastern DRC. This commitment was reaffirmed during a meeting on July 14, 2026, between François Moreillon, Head of the CICR delegation concluding his mission in the DRC, and Guillaume Ngefa Atondoko Andali, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice.
The meeting, which also served as a review of the partnership’s progress, highlighted the positive evaluation of cooperation between the Congolese government and CICR. Both parties expressed their commitment to consolidating this partnership to better serve humanitarian needs and improve detention conditions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
During the discussions, François Moreillon praised the quality of dialogue and collaboration with the Ministry of Justice throughout his mandate. He emphasized that CICR and Congolese authorities work closely on several priority issues, including improving detention conditions—especially in eastern provinces where humanitarian needs remain critical.
« My visit to the Ministry of Justice was primarily to thank Mr. the Minister for his collaboration with CICR over the past years. It was also an opportunity, after more than three years here, to take stock and identify areas where we can strengthen partnerships with the Ministry of Justice to improve detention conditions and ensure the proper treatment of detainees, particularly in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where CICR focuses its activities. The topics discussed included prison financing, detainee nutrition, and other shared concerns with the Ministry of Justice. Our relationship is both close and high-quality »
The two parties also reviewed major challenges facing penitentiary establishments, including funding, detainee nutrition, and enhanced care. François Moreillon reaffirmed CICR’s commitment to continuing its support alongside the Congolese government to address these challenges sustainably.
At the end of his three-year mission in the DRC, François Moreillon presented a positive assessment of the cooperation developed with Congolese authorities. He welcomed the progress made through this partnership and expressed hope that this momentum would continue to benefit the most vulnerable populations.
He renewed CICR’s support for communities affected by crises in eastern DRC, calling for continued joint efforts to protect their dignity, uphold their rights, and ensure respect for international humanitarian law.
« It’s a deep sense of satisfaction. It’s also a message of resilience and support I want to convey to the Congolese people, who have suffered for more than three decades, particularly in eastern DRC. Additionally, in our relationship with the Ministry of Justice, we’ve seen increased momentum in recent months, with new ambitions that, we hope, will provide sustainable solutions for detainees and better protection of judicial guarantees »
Present in the DRC since 1978, CICR supports people affected by armed conflicts and violence in the country. Its work also promotes respect for international humanitarian law and its integration into national legal frameworks, in a context of deteriorating humanitarian and security conditions, particularly in eastern DRC.
As a neutral humanitarian intermediary, CICR facilitates the release and transfer of detainees between conflict parties, including armed groups such as the AFC/M23 (allegedly supported by Rwanda according to Congolese authorities) and the DRC government, in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. Between April 30 and May 15, 2025, CICR facilitated the transfer of over 1,300 disarmed personnel from Congolese government forces and their families from Goma to Kinshasa—a humanitarian operation covering nearly 2,000 kilometers across a frontline zone, conducted at the request of the DRC Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs, MONUSCO, and AFC/M23.
