The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing a severe human trafficking crisis, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts in its eastern territories, according to Siobhán Mullally, the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons. In a recent statement, Mullally highlighted the dire situation, stating, "Conflict-related trafficking of children by armed groups persists with impunity, and is at alarming levels, with devastating consequences for children and the future of the DRC." She emphasized the immediate need for actions to halt these grave violations of children's rights and to ensure victims' access to justice and accountability.

Historically, the eastern DRC has been a hotspot for human trafficking, further complicated by the influx of refugees following the Rwandan genocide and subsequent Congo Wars. This influx has provided armed groups and criminal networks with opportunities to exploit vulnerable populations, particularly children, for labor and militia recruitment. A 2024 report by the US State Department also voiced concerns over corruption facilitating trafficking crimes within the region.

Mullally's visit to the DRC shed light on the complexities of the crisis, revealing how illegal mining operations and the illicit exploitation of resources continue to fuel armed conflicts, forced displacement, and various forms of exploitation, including forced labor and sexual exploitation. She expressed particular concern over the "intensification and normalization of conflict-related trafficking for sexual exploitation," emphasizing the limited assistance and protection available for victims in these conflict zones.

The persistence of these issues is closely tied to broader systemic problems, including corruption in the administration of justice, gender inequality, and inadequate child protection mechanisms. The ongoing conflict, primarily driven by the advancement of the M23 armed group, which claims to protect the Tutsi minority but is allegedly backed by Rwanda, adds another layer of complexity to the crisis.

Mullally underscored the importance of establishing early warning systems and maintaining rigorous human rights monitoring. She urged the DRC government to engage in ongoing peace negotiations and address the root causes of the conflict, such as intergenerational poverty, patriarchal social norms, and the illegal exploitation of resources, to combat the impunity that allows such violations to continue unchecked.

The call for action is urgent, aiming to foster a more stable and just environment in the DRC, where human rights are upheld, and trafficking victims can find the justice and protection they desperately need.