Government and CICR Strengthen Partnership to Improve Detainee Conditions in DRC

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have announced a strengthened collaboration aimed at enhancing humanitarian action and improving detention conditions nationwide, with special focus on the eastern provinces. This commitment was reaffirmed during a high-level meeting in Kinshasa on July 14, 2026, between ICRC delegation head François Moreillon, concluding his three-year mission in the DRC, and Guillaume Ngefa Atondoko Andali, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice.

Key Outcomes of the Meeting

Both parties conducted a comprehensive review of their ongoing cooperation, highlighting significant progress in addressing detention-related challenges. The discussions centered on critical issues such as prison funding, detainee nutrition, and the reinforcement of legal safeguards for those deprived of liberty.

François Moreillon expressed deep appreciation for the constructive dialogue maintained with the Ministry of Justice throughout his tenure. He emphasized the ICRC’s unwavering commitment to supporting Congolese authorities in addressing urgent humanitarian needs, particularly in conflict-affected eastern regions where detention facilities face severe strain.

“My visit to the Ministry of Justice was primarily an opportunity to express gratitude to Minister Andali for our years of fruitful collaboration. After three years in the DRC, it was also a chance to assess our shared achievements and identify new avenues to strengthen our partnership. Our focus remains on improving detention conditions, ensuring adequate nutrition for detainees, and upholding judicial guarantees—especially in the eastern provinces, where the ICRC’s humanitarian operations are most active,” Moreillon stated during a press briefing following the meeting.

Challenges and Shared Commitments

The meeting addressed pressing challenges facing the DRC’s prison system, including:

• Chronic underfunding of detention facilities, leading to overcrowding and inadequate infrastructure
• Food security concerns for detainees, with supply chains frequently disrupted by ongoing conflict
• Need for enhanced legal protections to ensure fair trials and humane treatment

Both parties underscored their determination to tackle these issues through coordinated efforts, leveraging the ICRC’s expertise in detention management and the Government’s authority to implement systemic reforms.

Humanitarian Impact and Long-Term Vision

Mr. Moreillon concluded his mission with a message of solidarity for the Congolese people, particularly those enduring decades of conflict in the eastern DRC. He praised the strengthened partnership with the Ministry of Justice, noting a recent surge in joint initiatives aimed at delivering sustainable solutions for detainees and promoting adherence to international humanitarian law.

“This partnership has yielded tangible results, but our work is far from over. The new momentum we’ve observed in recent months gives us hope that we can achieve lasting improvements in detention conditions and uphold the dignity of all individuals deprived of liberty. The Congolese people deserve nothing less,” he remarked.

The ICRC has been active in the DRC since 1978, providing critical support to civilians affected by armed conflict and violence. Its operations include facilitating the release and transfer of detainees between warring parties, in strict adherence to the Geneva Conventions. Notably, between April 30 and May 15, 2025, the ICRC assisted in the transfer of over 1,300 demobilized government forces and their families from Goma to Kinshasa—a 2,000-kilometer journey through active conflict zones—at the request of the DRC’s Ministry of Defense, MONUSCO, and the AFC/M23.

This operation underscored the ICRC’s role as a neutral intermediary, essential for enabling humanitarian exchanges in volatile environments.