Human Rights Watch has raised alarm over a deepening humanitarian crisis in Minembwe, citing blocked aid routes that have left thousands of civilians without access to essential supplies and services.
In a report released on April 14, 2026, the organization said ongoing fighting in the highlands of Fizi Territory, South Kivu, has effectively cut off humanitarian assistance to the area.
According to the report, Minembwe has remained under siege since it was taken over by Twirweho fighters allied with AFC/M23. Continued clashes with Congolese government forces and their allies have made it nearly impossible for aid agencies to operate.
For over a year, humanitarian organizations have struggled to reach the area, resulting in severe shortages of medicines and basic medical equipment in local health facilities.
The report highlights a sharp rise in the cost of basic commodities, noting that prices for essentials such as sugar and salt have surged to nearly five times higher than in other parts of South Kivu.
Human Rights Watch also pointed to similar shortages in areas controlled by the Congolese government, where access to medicines and basic goods remains limited, according to humanitarian sources and media reports.
Minembwe continues to witness intense fighting between the Congolese army (FARDC) and allied Wazalendo militias against AFC/M23 rebels and the Twirweho group. The latter joined forces with AFC/M23 following the killing of its leader, Michel Rukunda, in a drone strike in February 2025.
The rights group called for urgent measures to restore humanitarian access, warning that continued restrictions could further worsen the plight of civilians trapped in the conflict.
