A United Nations-mandated investigation into alleged human rights violations and war crimes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been indefinitely delayed due to a deepening funding crisis within the UN human rights office (OHCHR), according to a letter.
The probe, which was formally launched in February by the UN Human Rights Council, aimed to examine serious abuses — including massacres, summary executions, and sexual violence — committed in North and South Kivu following the capture of key cities like Goma and Bukavu by M23 rebels allegedly backed by Rwanda. Rwanda has denied any involvement.
However, the OHCHR now says it is unable to proceed with the Commission of Inquiry (COI) unless immediate funding becomes available. The office has suffered a $60 million drop in voluntary contributions this year, worsened by persistent underpayments from member states and significant foreign aid cuts, notably from the United States under former President Donald Trump.
“Until and unless funding is made available, the Commission of Inquiry cannot deliver results,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, in a letter appended to the Council. He warned that financial and staffing constraints are “critically impeding” investigative work, and that the situation could severely undermine global human rights efforts.
The funding shortfall comes despite the OHCHR’s exceptional decision to allocate $1.1 million from its regular budget to launch the initial fact-finding mission in February. That move, meant to serve as a temporary lifeline, has now depleted the office’s emergency reserves. The full cost of operating the COI is projected at $3.9 million.
Alex El Jundi, head of the Investigations Support Unit at OHCHR, told Council members during an informal meeting on Monday that the delay is particularly troubling given preliminary findings pointing to potential war crimes.
“We’re seeing indications of summary executions and horrific sexual violence,” he said. “Many of these abuses could constitute war crimes.”
Commissions of Inquiry like this one often play a crucial role in gathering evidence for pre-trial investigations by international courts, including the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The delay has sparked criticism from several member states. South Africa’s envoy described the pause as a “grave mistake,” while the DRC’s representative expressed concern that the situation could be interpreted as a lack of seriousness on the part of the OHCHR.
In response, the human rights office said that it will do “everything possible” to secure regular budget funding to operationalise the COI — but said the earliest that might happen is 2026.
Melissa Enoch
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