The situation in the DRC is a serious matter of concern. ITSCI continues to deeply regret the escalation of violence in areas of North and South Kivu, DRC, driven by the actions of M23 and associated groups. The offensive has created a critical humanitarian situation and has multiple other serious and negative impacts including the disruption of responsible sourcing activities and development benefiting local communities.
ITSCI strongly condemns all illegal actions by the M23 and human rights abuses by conflicting parties. In regard to mineral supply chains, advancements of M23 caused ITSCI and state services to suspend all activities in some areas of North Kivu, Goma, and Kalehe territory South Kivu, and now further areas of South Kivu as M23 advanced to reach Bukavu on 14th February (see Notes for further detail).
ITSCI is saddened to report that on 7th February M23 took possession of ITSCI’s local office in Nyabibwe, including equipment: a generator, a printer, a GPS device and other office utilities. We also understand that M23 made death threats and ultimately forced access to an ITSCI depot in Numbi town stealing an ITSCI motorcycle (Yamaha, Type ‘AG 100’, plate number 19AP538, red coloured). The fate of other ITSCI equipment in that depot, including a GPS device, a printer, a power generator, a voltage stabiliser and office utilities is unknown. ITSCI has an inventory of all unused tags and logbooks that were in both the Nyabibwe office and the Numbi depots and these have been cancelled in our systems (Level-1 incident SK-2025-0018).
The ITSCI Programme, all implementation teams, the ITSCI Secretariat and the ITSCI Governance Committee, dissociate ourselves entirely from any use M23 may make of the above illegally obtained ITSCI office facilities, motorbike and other equipment, including any potential or actual use to perpetrate human rights abuses.
The ongoing violence not only causes immeasurable harm to civilians, but it also causes a spiral of insecurity, reduced economic development and interruptions to mining activities, meaning artisanal miners are facing even more reduced circumstances.
We express our unwavering support for the local population and our field teams as well as our deep concerns about the growing insecurity and call for those responsible to be held accountable.
ITSCI is a non-political and not-for-profit Programme which supports dialogue to reduce risk of violence. Anyone in the region can provide evidence or information on risks directly or via our whistleblowing mechanism. ITSCI whistleblowing procedure and contacts are available online www.itsci.org/contact/. The confidential ITSCI whistleblowing address is [email protected].
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Additional notes: key highlights about the current situation and its impact on the ITSCI Programme
At the time of writing, the following mineral trading towns in South Kivu under control by M23 include: Lumbishi, Numbi, and Nyabibwe, all located in Kalehe territory. On 14th February, M23 also arrived in South Kivu provincial capital Bukavu. The arrival of M23 in Bukavu has led to important movements of Congolese army (FARDC) soldiers towards the town of Kamanyola in Uvira territory, where high tensions, clashes between FARDC and non-state armed groups fighters known as ‘Wazalendo’ and abuses by ‘Wazalendo’ have been reported. As a result, activities in and around that town, including mining activities, are paralysed. Massive population displacement towards the Burundian and Rwandan border have been reported. These latest developments in Uvira territory are recorded as an ITSCI incident.
In North Kivu, M23 continue to be in control of Masisi territory and the town of Goma.
The security situation in North and South Kivu is not uniform across the whole provinces, nor is it representative of the situation in other provinces across the DRC where ITSCI is working. Understanding this variation is crucial for anyone assessing risks from the region, while ITSCI stressed the need for additional checks and mitigation measures in areas where activities are ongoing.
ITSCI does not support any generalised disengagement from the DRC or the Great Lakes Region due to the current suspension of ITSCI tagging or the armed conflict in parts of North and South Kivu. Such de-risking approach unfortunately results in stigmatising the ASM sector in CAHRA and will cause unnecessary harm for local mining communities.
To date, all activities by ITSCI field teams and state services continue normally in:
- Walikale territory, North Kivu Province (see Annex)
- Idjwi, Kabare, Mwenga, Shabunda, and Walungu territories in South Kivu Province (see Annex)
- Tshopo, Maniema, Haut-Lomami, Lualaba, Tanganyika, and Haut-Katanga Provinces
We are in daily communication with our teams on the ground to monitor the development of the situation, both in North and South Kivu. We will continue to take appropriate mitigation measures and engage with local stakeholders as the situation develops.
Previous publications on this topic
- ITSCI clarifies the role of its 3T traceability and due diligence Programme (February 2025)
- Escalating security situation in North and South Kivu (January 2025)
- ITSCI update on the security situation in North Kivu Province (January 2025)
Contact
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Annex I Map of North Kivu and its territories
Annex II Map of South Kivu and its territories
