The European Union’s commissioner for crisis management urged eastern Democratic Republic of Congo rebel leaders on Friday to open secure humanitarian corridors to allow aid to reach millions of civilians affected by the conflict.
Commissioner Hadja Lahbib held what she described as “frank and constructive” talks in Goma with leaders of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23), a rebel coalition that includes the M23 group, as part of a regional tour that also took her to Rwanda and Burundi.
“I came to Goma with a humanitarian mandate,” Lahbib told reporters. “I pressed for humanitarian access for millions of civilians in eastern DRC. Aid must reach those in need without delay, through secure humanitarian corridors.”
She said international humanitarian law must be respected to protect civilians and stressed that responsibility for humanitarian access lies with all parties involved in the conflict.
“This is a shared responsibility across the region,” Lahbib said, adding that she had delivered the same message during meetings in Kinshasa, Bujumbura and Kigali. “I received commitments from all parties I met and I hope these will be implemented.”
Eastern Congo is facing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises due to prolonged armed conflict and mass displacement, according to the United Nations. Thousands of civilians have fled fighting in recent months, with many crossing into neighboring Burundi since December 2025.
Burundi has acknowledged deploying troops to eastern Congo in support of the Congolese army against M23 rebels.
The EU announced during Lahbib’s visit that it would mobilize €81.2 million ($88 million) in humanitarian assistance for countries across the Great Lakes region.
M23 fighters currently control large swathes of eastern Congo, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, which were seized earlier in 2025. The Congolese government, the United Nations and Western countries accuse Rwanda of backing the group, allegations Kigali denies.