Congo, Democratic Republic of

Cluster Munition Ban Policy

Last updated: 05 September 2023

Summary: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions in March 2009, and announced in August 2022 that it had restarted its parliamentary process necessary to approve ratification. The DRC has participated in several meetings of the convention, most recently the Tenth Meeting of States Parties held in Geneva in August–September 2022. It voted in favor of the key annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution promoting the convention in December 2022.

The DRC provided a voluntary Article 7 transparency report for the convention in May 2022, which confirmed that it has not produced cluster munitions and possesses no stocks of cluster munitions, including for research and training purposes. Cluster munitions were used in the DRC in the past, but the actors responsible for this use have never been conclusively identified.

Policy

The DRC signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions on 18 March 2009.

In August 2022, the DRC told the Tenth Meeting of States Parties that its lengthy delay in ratifying the convention “is more a procedural technical matter than one of political will.”^{^[1]} It outlined the “political and administrative problems that…prevented the finalization of the ratification” after the Senate adopted ratification legislation on 28 November 2013.[2] According to the official, the DRC has “decided to go through the procedure again in order to have the bill once again submitted to the two chambers of our parliament so that it can once again be adopted and then go to the enactment stage.”

The DRC reported in May 2022 that it had not adopted implementation legislation for the Convention on Cluster Munitions as it had not yet ratified the convention.[3] The DRC also reported that it had adopted a Strategic Plan for the Fight Against Landmines in January 2022, which also covers its implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

The DRC last provided a voluntary Article 7 transparency report for the convention on 30 May 2022, covering activities in 2013–2022. The DRC submitted three previous voluntary Article 7 reports, in 2011–2014.[4]

The DRC actively participated in the Oslo Process that created the Convention on Cluster Munitions and strongly supported a comprehensive ban, as well as the inclusion of provisions on international cooperation and assistance. Due to inadequate signing authority, the DRC could not sign the convention in Oslo in December 2008, but signed three months later at the United Nations (UN) in New York.[5]

The DRC has participated in most of the convention’s meetings, most recently the Tenth Meeting of States Parties held in Geneva in August–September 2022.[6] Representatives from the DRC participated in intersessional meetings of the convention in May 2022 as well as a regional workshop on the convention held in Abuja, Nigeria in March 2022.

In December 2022, the DRC voted in favor of a key UNGA resolution that urged states outside the Convention on Cluster Munitions to “join as soon as possible.”[7] The DRC voted in favor of the annual UNGA resolution promoting the convention in 2015–2016 and 2018–2020, but was absent from the vote in 2017 and 2021.

The DRC has elaborated its views on several important issues relating to the interpretation and implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. In 2012, the government’s national mine action coordinator said that the DRC agreed with the views of the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) that the convention’s provisions forbid transit, foreign stockpiling, and investment in the production of cluster munitions, and also forbid assistance with use of cluster munitions in joint military operations with states not party.[8]

The DRC is a State Party to the Mine Ban Treaty. It is not party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW).

Use, production, transfer, and stockpiling

In May 2022, the DRC reported that it has not produced cluster munitions and possesses no stocks, including for research and training purposes.[9] This confirms the information provided in previous Article 7 transparency reports, as well as in statements made by officials that the DRC has never produced cluster munitions and does not possess a stockpile.[10]

The DRC has not commented on evidence suggesting that it may have received a shipment of Chilean-manufactured cluster munitions from Zimbabwe either in or after July 2013.[11]

The DRC states that it has never used cluster munitions, but that “foreign armies” have used cluster munitions in the DRC in the past.[12] The DRC’s cluster munition contamination includes BL-755, BLU-63, BLU-55, ShAOB-0.5, and PM1-type submunitions.[13] Its 2022 Article 7 transparency report used the stockpile destruction form to report that a total of 3,041 submunitions were cleared and destroyed during the 2013–2022 period, as a result of demining activities. The destroyed submunitions consisted of 2,793 Chilean-made PM1 submunitions and 248 United States (US)-made Mk118 Rockeye submunitions.[14]

^{^[1]}Statement of the DRC, Convention on Cluster Munitions Tenth Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 30 August 2022.

[2] DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (voluntary), Form A, June 2014. See, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Database. After the law’s adoption, the DRC said the law was sent to the president for enactment but “at that stage a number of procedural difficulties arose.” According to the update, officials “have not yet managed to get the document in question back from the former Supreme Court that was supposed to be checking its compliance with our Constitution” and have not been able to find it in the court’s archives. See, statement of the DRC, Convention on Cluster Munitions Tenth Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 30 August 2022.

[3] DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (voluntary), Form A, 30 May 2022.

[4] The DRC’s initial Convention on Cluster Munitions voluntary Article 7 report, submitted on 15 May 2011, covers the period from February 2002 up to 15 May 2011. The report provided on 10 April 2012 covers calendar year 2011, while the report provided in June 2014 covers calendar years 2012 and 2013.

[5] For details on the DRC’s cluster munition policy and practice through early 2009, see Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Landmine Action, Banning Cluster Munitions: Government Policy and Practice (Ottawa: Mines Action Canada, May 2009), pp. 60–61.

[6] The DRC participated in the convention’s Meetings of States Parties in 2010–2014, the First Review Conference in 2015, and intersessional meetings held in 2011–2015, as well as regional workshops on cluster munitions. It did not attend meetings of the convention held in 2016–2018 or 2020.

[7] “Implementation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions,” UNGA Resolution 77/79, 7 December 2022.

[8] Meeting with Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Focal Point for the Struggle Against Mines (Point Focal National pour la Lutte Antimines, PFNLAM), in Brussels, 15 April 2012.

[9] DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (voluntary), Form B, 30 May 2022.

[10] See, for example, statement of the DRC, Convention on Cluster Munitions Tenth Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 31 August 2022.

[11] In May 2018, HRW reviewed a copy of an official document including “packing list,” addressed to the National Army of the DRC, dated 3 July 2013 and issued on the letterhead of Zimbabwe Defense Industries Ltd. The document lists various weapons including three crates or pallets of cluster bombs, one weighing 350kg and two weighing 150kg each. According to the document, a manual for CB-250K cluster bombs was also provided. It is unclear if complete cluster bombs were provided or components. Chile produced and transferred CB-250K cluster bombs prior to signing the Convention on Cluster Munitions. As a signatory, under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, the DRC has committed not to take any action that runs contrary to the object and purpose of the convention, such as importing or otherwise receiving cluster munitions.

[12] Statement by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, Congolese Mine Action Coordination Center (Centre Congolais de Lutte Antimines, CCLAM), Convention on Cluster Munitions intersessional meetings, Geneva, 7 April 2014; statement of the DRC, Convention on Cluster Munitions intersessional meetings, Geneva, 28 June 2011; and statement of the DRC, Convention on Cluster Munitions Tenth Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 31 August 2022.

[13] In May 2013, the DRC reported for the first time that BLU-55 type submunitions had been found and destroyed in Katanga and South Kivu provinces. It also reported for the first time that ShAOB type submunitions were destroyed during clearance operations in Lubumbashi in 2012, while 55 PM1 submunitions were destroyed in Bolomba, Équateur province. In 2013, a further nine PM1 submunitions were destroyed in Lubutu, Maniema province. The official stated that BL-755 and BLU-55 submunitions had been destroyed in Kabalo and Manono, Katanga province, and in Shabunda, South Kivu province. Statement of the DRC, Lomé Regional Seminar on the Universalization of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, Lomé, 23 May 2013. Notes by Action on Armed Violence (AOAV); statement of the DRC, Convention on Cluster Munitions First Meeting of States Parties, Vientiane, 11 November 2010. Notes by the CMC; and statement of the DRC, Convention on Cluster Munitions intersessional meetings, Geneva, 28 June 2011.

[14] DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (voluntary), Form B, 30 May 2022.

Impact

Last updated: 11 March 2024

Country Summary

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is contaminated with antipersonnel landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), including cluster munition remnants, as a result of armed conflict involving neighboring countries, militias, and non-state armed groups (NSAGs) since the late 1990s. The DRC is also believed to be contaminated by improvised mines and other improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used by NSAGs, operating mainly in North-Kivu province.[1]

In November 2021, the DRC was granted a fourth extension to its Mine Ban Treaty Article 5 clearance deadline, until 31 December 2025.^{^[2]}

In May 2022, the DRC reported a total of 0.16km² of land contaminated by cluster munition remnants.^{^[3]}

Risk education is carried out at the community level by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and volunteers.[4] Mine/ERW survivors in the DRC are entitled to free healthcare and prosthetics, yet most survivors are unaware of these rights and lack access to services.^{^[5]}

ASSESSING THE IMPACT

Contamination

Extent of contamination[6]

Antipersonnel landmine

Cluster munition remnant

Other

Extent of contamination

Small*

Reported contamination

0.32km²

CHA: 0.32km²

0.16km²

CHA: 0.16km²

0.24km²**

Note: CHA=confirmed hazardous area.

*Extent of contamination is believed to be larger, due to some inaccessible areas requiring survey.

**Undifferentiated between CHA and suspected hazardous area (SHA).

Landmine contamination

Landmine contamination in the DRC is believed to be small.

In June 2021, the DRC reported 0.12km² of mine contaminated land, with 0.09km² classified as confirmed hazardous area (CHA) and 0.03km² as suspected hazardous area (SHA). This contamination was reported to affect 33 areas across nine provinces: Tshopo (48,188m²), North-Ubangi (35,417m²), North-Kivu (12,760m²), Tanganyika (6,943m²), Ituri (6,100m²), Maniema (4,752m²), Tshuapa (1,320m²), South-Kivu (850.8m²), and Kasaï (700m²).^{^[7]}

In March 2022, the Congolese Mine Action Coordination Center (Centre Congolais de Lutte Antimines, CCLAM) reported new mine contamination following survey and clean-up of the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA) database, resulting in an updated total of 0.4km² across 37 CHAs. This new contamination was mainly located in Ipoka (Kasaï province) and Dibamba, Kabinda Mukole, Kabuluanda, and Mpoyi (Kasaï-Central province).[8] Additional areas with suspected contamination in Aru (Ituri province) and Dungu (Haut-Uélé province) had not been surveyed due to insecurity along the borders with Uganda and South Sudan.[9] In September 2023, CCLAM reported an updated contamination total of 0.32km².[10]

Mine/ERW contamination in the DRC restricts access to agricultural land, hunting and fishing areas, water collection points, and roads.^{^[11]}

Since 2019, IEDs are reported to have been used by NSAGs, mainly in North-Kivu and Ituri provinces, with some devices described as “pressure-release” mines.[12] Improvised mines were reported to have been laid on agricultural land to prevent farmers working in their fields.[13]

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has reported an increase in use of IEDs in the DRC since 2021. During 2022, it was reported that 91% of IED incidents in the country occurred in Beni (North-Kivu). Since mid-2021, the types of devices used have evolved from predominantly victim-activated to IEDs triggered by remote, radio-controlled mechanisms.[14]

Cluster munition remnants contamination

The DRC reported a total of 0.16km² of cluster munition remnants contamination across six CHAs, after technical and non-technical survey. This contamination, primarily consisting of MK7-118 and PM1 submunitions and dating from 1998, affects areas across four provinces: Equateur (120,398m²), Tanganyika (37,000m²), Ituri (3,406m²), and South-Kivu (718.8m²).[15] The CHAs were reportedly marked, but were located in areas that were difficult to access.[16]

In September 2023, the DRC stated that Maniema province was also contaminated with cluster munition remnants, with further survey needed to clarify the specific extent of contamination. Cluster munition remnants were also suspected to affect Tshopo province.[17]

Other types of contamination

The DRC is contaminated by other ERW due to decades of armed conflict, which has also left a legacy of abandoned explosive ordnance (AXO) in the country.^{^[18]} As of the end of 2021, the DRC reported that ERW contamination totaled 0.02km² (22,613m² CHA and 66m² SHA).^{^[19]}

Casualties

The total number of mine/ERW casualties in the DRC, for all time, is unknown. In June 2022, the DRC reported an estimated 3,121 casualties since 2002.[20] In October 2022, a local NGO estimated that there had been at least 2,500 mine/ERW casualties in North-Kivu province.[21]

5-year casualties total: 2018–2022[22]

Year	Injured	Killed	Unknown	Total
2022	58	7	0	65
2021	51	24	0	75
2020	8	5	0	13
2019	25	17	0	42
2018	22	9	0	31

Casualties in 2022[23]

Injured	Killed	Unknown	Total	Change from previous year
58	7	0	65	Decrease from 75 in 2021

Casualty demographics in 2022

Adult	Men	Women	Unknown
26	19	7	31
Children	Boys	Girls
8	5	3

Casualties by civilian status in 2022

Civilian	Military	Deminer	Unknown
17	1	0	47

Casualties by device type in 2022

APM	AVM	Improvised mines	Unspecified mine type	CMR	ERW	Unknown
1	0	30	0	0	34	0

Note: APM=antipersonnel mine; AVM=antivehicle mine; CMR=cluster munition remnants; ERW=explosive remnants of war.

In 2022, a total of 65 mine/ERW casualties were reported in the DRC, down from 75 in 2021. One antipersonnel mine casualty was recorded during 2022, in Kasaï-Central province.[24]

Cluster munition casualties

Cluster munition remnants have caused at least 207 casualties in the DRC.[25] In its voluntary Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 report submitted in 2022, the DRC reported on 58 cluster munition remnant casualties (18 killed and 40 injured) that occurred in 1998–2018.[26]

COORDINATION

Summary table[27]

Mine action
Main Coordination Body	Coordination Mechanism	Strategy/plan	National Mine Action Standards
CCLAM	Mine Action Working Group	National Mine Action Strategic Plan 2023–2032	NMAS in place (reviewed in 2022)
Risk education
Main Coordination Body	Coordination Mechanism	Strategy/plan	National Mine Action Standards
CCLAM	Mine Action Working Group	Included in National Mine Action Strategic Plan	NMAS in place
Victim assistance
Main Coordination Body	Coordination Mechanism	Strategy/plan	National Mine Action Standards
CCLAM	Direct and ad-hoc coordination	Included in National Mine Action Strategic Plan	N/R

Note: CCLAM=Centre Congolais de Lutte Antimines (Congolese Mine Action Coordination Center); NMAS=National Mine Action Standards; N/R=not reported.

ADDRESSING THE IMPACT

Clearance

Highlights from 2022

In 2023, the management of CCLAM was subject to nominations by ministerial decree. This delayed the DRC’s Article 7 reporting for calendar year 2022, and its expected submission of an updated Mine Ban Treaty Article 5 workplan.[28]

Management and coordination

Management and coordination overview

CCLAM was formed in 2012, with support from UNMAS. CCLAM took over responsibility from UNMAS for coordination of the DRC’s mine action program in 2016, though UNMAS continues to provide guidance.[29] CCLAM has representation in the capital, Kinshasa, and at the provincial level. It operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and under the supervision of the National Mine Action Commission. According to a new ministerial decree, adopted in February 2023, the CCLAM’s national coordinator, deputy coordinator, and program director are to be nominated for a period of five years.[30]

UNMAS supports coordination through the Mine Action Working Group, co-lead by CCLAM and Synergy for Mine Action (Synergie pour la Lutte Antimines, SYLAM), a national NGO.^{^[31]} In 2022, UNMAS and CCLAM jointly planned to develop a national IED working group.[32]

Legislation and standards

National Mine Action Standards are in place and were reviewed in January 2022.[33] The DRC has adopted a new standard on IEDs.

Strategies and policies

In 2022, CCLAM developed the ten-year National Mine Action Strategic Plan covering 2023–2032, with support from UNMAS. This replaced a previous plan that expired in 2019.[34] Mine action is also integrated into the National Development Plan, under security governance.[35]

Information management

CCLAM is responsible for information management, with reports from mine action operators and local communities recorded in the national IMSMA database.^{^[36]} CCLAM also ensures that centralized mine action data in the DRC is disaggregated by age, gender, and disability.^{^[37]}

Gender and diversity

CCLAM has a Gender Unit, aiming to ensure the inclusion of women in mine action, in both administrative and operational roles.[38] CCLAM has committed to ensuring that women should represent at least 30% of personnel in clearance teams and 50% in risk education teams.[39]

Clearance operators

Africa for Mine Action (Afrique pour la lutte antimines, AFRILAM) and Synergy of Peasant Organizations for Integral Development (Synergie des Organisations Paysannes de Développement Intégral, SYOPADI) were the only accredited national demining operators in the DRC in 2022. They partnered with international operators worked in Ituri, Kasai-Central, North-Kivu, South-Kivu, and Tshopo provinces.[40]

Since 2016, UNMAS has supported the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). It has conducted explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operations nationwide since November 2020, and has an IED disposal team based in Beni.[41] UNMAS also provides capacity-building support to the Armed Forces of the DRC, the Congolese National Police, and AFRILAM.[42] CCLAM reported that 400 deminers worked for the Armed Forces of the DRC and the Congolese National Police.[43]

In 2022, DanChurchAid (DCA) conducted manual clearance, technical and non-technical survey, and battle area clearance (BAC) in eight provinces.[44] Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and the HALO Trust conducted clearance activities in South-Kivu, North-Kivu, Ituri, North-Ubangi, Kasaï, Tshuapa, Maniema, and Tanganyika provinces.[45]

Land release: antipersonnel landmines

2022 land release overview: Landmines[46]

Area cleared

(km²)

Area reduced

(km²)

Area cancelled

(km²)

Total area released (km²)

APM destroyed

0.027

0.005

0.001

0.033

Note: APM=Antipersonnel mines

In 2022, the DRC released 32,853m² (0.033km²), of which 27,318m² (0.027km²) was cleared. Four antipersonnel landmines were destroyed during clearance operations.[47]

Five-year landmine clearance: 2018–2022[48]

Year	Area cleared (km²)	Area reduced (km²)	Area cancelled (km²)	Total area released (km²)	APM destroyed
2022	0.027	0.005	0.001	0.033	4
2021	0.008	0.004	0.003	0.015	12
2020	0.02	N/A	N/A	0.02	21
2019	0.21	0	0.28	0.49	12
2018	0.28	0	0	0.28	0

Note: APM=antipersonnel mines; N/A=not applicable.

Mine Ban Treaty Article 5 clearance deadline

Summary of Article 5 clearance deadline extension requests[49]

Original deadline

Extension period

(no. of request)

Current deadline

Status

1 November 2012

2 years and 2 months (1^st)

6 years (2^nd)

1 year and 6 months (3^rd)

3 years and 6 months (4^th)

31 December 2025

Behind target

The DRC should be able to meet its Mine Ban Treaty Article 5 deadline of 31 December 2025 as the remaining mined area to clear is small. However, progress since 2020 has been limited, while some contaminated areas remain difficult to access due to insecurity. The DRC has also reported that further areas were suspected to be contaminated and required survey.[50]

Land release: cluster munition remnants

2022 land release overview: CMR[51]

Area cleared

(m²)

Area reduced

(m²)

Area cancelled

(m²)

Total area released (m²)

CMR destroyed

Note: CMR=Cluster munition remnants.

CCLAM reported only 50m² cleared in 2022, with three cluster munition remnants destroyed, and indicated that it was in the process of verifying these numbers with operators.[52]

Five-year cluster munition remnants clearance[53]

Year	Area cleared (m²)	Area reduced (m²)	Area cancelled (m²)	Total area released (m²)	CMR destroyed
2022	50	0	0	50	3
2021	100	0	0	100	7
2020	0	0	0	0	0
2019	250	0	0	250	248
2018	25	0	0	25	2

Note: CMR=cluster munition remnants.

In September 2023, CCLAM reported that areas released and submunitions destroyed between 2018–2022 were the result of spot task operations.[54]

In its voluntary Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 report, submitted in May 2022, the DRC reported that from 2013–2021 a total of 57,857m² was cleared and 572 cluster munition remnants were “removed” or otherwise destroyed.[55]

Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 4 clearance deadline

The DRC signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions in 2009 but has not yet ratified it.[56]

Land release: other ordnance

In 2022, a total of 17,672 ERW were destroyed in the DRC through spot task operations.[57]

Residual hazards

During 2022, Armed Forces of the DRC and Congolese National Police deminers undertook refresher training, to address residual contamination.[58] In June 2021, the DRC reported a list of 62 areas allegedly containing “residual contamination.” Yet the total, 750,982m² (0.76km²), is more than the remaining contamination planned to be addressed under its Mine Ban Treaty Article 5 extension period.[59] As of July 2023, further details on this residual contamination could not be obtained by the Monitor.

Security issues

In 2021, AFRILAM deminers were reportedly attacked by NSAGs in North-Kivu province.[60]

Risk education

Highlights from 2022

UNMAS disseminated IED awareness messages in 2022 via local radio in French, Kinande, and Swahili languages, in partnership with Concrete Action for Mine Action (Action Concrète pour la Lutte Antimines, ACOLAM).[61]

Management and coordination

Management and coordination overview

CCLAM coordinates mine/ERW risk education in the DRC through a dedicated department.[62] It provides accreditation, delivers task orders, and conducts quality control. Risk education is also prioritized and coordinated through the Mine Action Working Group.[63]

Legislation and standards

CCLAM reported that national risk education standards are aligned with International Mine Action Standard (IMAS) 12.10 on Risk Education, which was amended in September 2020.[64]

Strategies and policies

Risk Education is included within the National Mine Action Strategic Plan 2023–2032.[65]

Risk education operators

A network of NGOs and community volunteers undertake risk education activities in the DRC and mark hazardous areas.[66] In 2022, CCLAM reported data from eight operators.[67] Among them, SYOPADI provides risk education integrated with non-technical survey in North-Kivu province.[68] AFRILAM targeted internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities in Ituri province. It also raised awareness through radio broadcasts and disseminated leaflets and brochures.[69] ACOLAM is a risk education operator in Beni province, partnering UNMAS.[70] International operators MAG, the HALO Trust, and DCA also conducted risk education.[71]

In October 2023, the Office of Development Actions and Emergencies (Bureau d’actions de développement et des urgences, BADU) reported receiving funding until November 2024 to provide risk education in three areas of South-Kivu province (Fizi, Kalehe, and Shabunda).[72]

Beneficiary data

Beneficiary data in 2022[73]

Operator	Men	Boys	Women	Girls	Persons with disabilities
CCLAM*	7,004	18,639	9,347	20,848	N/R

Note: N/R=not reported.

*This includes data reported by eight risk education operators.

In 2022, CCLAM reported a total of 55,838 risk education beneficiaries across eight operators, with children representing 70% of those reached. In 2021, CCLAM reported a total of 50,745 beneficiaries. Data was collectedaccording to the Standard Beneficiary Definitions.[74]

Target groups

Target groups for risk education in 2022 included young people, women, refugees, IDPs and returnees, international NGO staff, medical workers, and members of peacekeeping missions living or working in mine/ERW contaminated areas.[75]

Children are particularly vulnerable due to their curiosity and lack of awareness of the danger posed by mines/ERW. Women in the DRC were also considered at risk, as their daily activities often included traveling and searching for goods and materials needed for the household. IDPs and refugees were often unaware of mine/ERW contamination in areas they had fled to.[76]

Delivery methods

Risk education was provided through face-to-face sessions, text messages, social media, radio, and television broadcasts in 2022. It was also integrated into demining work.[77] Risk education materials in the DRC were reportedly available in five languages (French, Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili, and Tshiluba).[78]

Victim assistance

Highlights from 2022

In 2022, the DRC reported plans to launch the National Mine Victim Card, enabling the rights of mine survivors to be fulfilled.[79] A new physical rehabilitation center opened in Bunia, Ituri province, supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).[80] Humanity & Inclusion (HI) launched a two-year project in North-Kivu province, which includes functional and physical rehabilitation along with mental health and psychosocial support.[81]

Management and coordination

CCLAM is responsible for the design and implementation of victim assistance programs.[82] In 2022, however, CCLAM reported that no specific funding had been allocated for mine/ERW victim assistance since 2012.^{^[83]}

The Ministry of Health receives support from the ICRC to strengthen its National Community-Based Rehabilitation Program (Programme National de Réadaptation à Base Communautaire, PNRBC).[84]

Legislation and standards

Legal provisions for mine and ERW survivors in the DRC were reported to cover free medical care and physical rehabilitation, and tax exemptions for companies employing them.[85]

Strategies and policies

Victim assistance was included within the National Mine Action Strategic Plan 2023–2032.[86]

Victim assistance providers

Victim assistance providers in the DRC included NGOs participating in the ad hoc registration of victims, and referrals to rehabilitation or socio-economic inclusion services.[87]

Some organizations combined risk education and victim assistance activities via community networks, including Action for the Complete Development of Communities (Action pour le Développement Intégral par la conservation Communautaire, ADIC), BADU, SYLAM, and SYOPADI. The National Association of Mine Survivors and Victims (Association nationale des survivants de mines et de défense des intérêts des victimes, ANASDIV) and the Congolese Campaign to Ban Landmines (CCBL) advocated for survivors’ rights. The ICRC and HI were involved in the provision of physical rehabilitation and socio-economic inclusion. [88]

Needs assessment

Identifying and reaching mine/ERW survivors remained challenging.[89] In June 2021, the DRC reported that the majority of recorded survivors had not received suitable assistance.[90] Access to services remained limited in 2022, reflecting the lack of healthcare infrastructure.[91]

Medical care and rehabilitation

The ICRC assisted five physical rehabilitation centers in 2022, in North-Kivu (Goma), South-Kivu (Bukavu and Uvira), Ituri (Bunia), and Kinshasa, providing training alongside financial and material support. The ICRC supported 22 survivors, providing rehabilitation, prosthetics, and assistive devices.[92]

The ICRC provided first-aid training to Congolese Red Cross personnel and capacity-building support in surgery to three referral hospitals, located in Bukavu, Goma, and Beni.[93]

In the Lake Kivu region, the Polus Center provided prosthetics and follow-up care in 2022. It also supported Mine Victims in Action, a local survivors’ organization.[94]

Socio-economic and psychosocial inclusion

Persons with disabilities, including mine/ERW survivors, faced limited opportunities in 2022 in employment and education, while experiencing social stigmatization.[95]

Three of the five ICRC-supported physical rehabilitation centers also provided psychosocial support. The ICRC supported persons with disabilities to attend school, start small businesses, and participate in sports. It is likely that mine/ERW survivors were among the recipients.[96]

Legal frameworks or policies on disability inclusion

The role of Deputy Minister for Persons with Disabilities and Other Vulnerable Persons, under the Ministry of Social Affairs, was established in 2019.

The constitution prohibits discrimination and protects the rights of persons with disabilities, yet provisions were not effectively enforced.[97] In May 2022, Law No. 22/03 came into effect, strengthening a national legal framework to better protect and support vulnerable persons.[98]

[1] United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), “Annual Report 2022,” April 2023, p. 28; United States (US) Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA), “To Walk the Earth in Safety: 1 October 2021–30 September 2022,” June 2023, p. 12; and Monitor media monitoring and analysis of Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) data for calendar year 2022. See, Clionadh Raleigh, Andrew Linke, Håvard Hegre, and Joakim Karlsen, “Introducing ACLED: An Armed Conflict Location and Event Dataset,” Journal of Peace Research, Vol. 47, Issue 5, 28 September 2010, pp. 651–660.

[2] Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), “Decisions on the request submitted by The Democratic Republic of the Congo for an extension of the deadline for completing the destruction of anti-personnel mines in accordance with Article 5 of the Convention,” 16 November 2021.

[3] DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Voluntary Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2013–31 December 2021), Form F, p. 14. See, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Database.

[4] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, June 2021, p. 23.

[5] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, Congolese Mine Action Coordination Center (Centre Congolais de Lutte Antimines, CCLAM), 18 August 2020; and by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor “2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Democratic Republic of the Congo,” March 2023; emails from Tabin Lissendja, Coordinator, Africa for Mine Action (Afrique pour la Lutte Antimines, AFRILAM), 20 July 2020; from Valentin Tshitenge, Head of Division for Medico-Social Care, National Community-Based Rehabilitation Program (Programme National de Réadaptation à Base Communautaire, PNRBC), 4 August 2020; and Humanity & Inclusion (HI), “In North-Kivu, over 1,600 conflict victims benefited from emergency rehabilitation,” March 2020.

[6] Data as of September 2023. CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, Congolese Campaign to Ban Landmines (CCBL), 27 September 2023.

[7] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, June 2021, p. 22.

[8] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; and DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2019–31 March 2022), Form C, pp. 2–4. See, Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Database.

[9] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, Executive Summary, 16 September 2021, pp. 1–2, and Additional Information, 24 September 2021, pp. 2–3.

[10] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[11] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), “DRC: Humanitarian Needs Overview,” 3 February 2023, pp. 31 and 33; and DanChurchAid (DCA), “DanChurchAid in Democratic Republic of Congo,” undated.

[12] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 18 August 2020.

[13] “DRC-Beni: for fear of artisanal bombs, farmers hesitate to work in their fields,” Actualite CD, 16 November 2021; and “DRC-Beni: a person injured in a deadly item explosion in Mwenda,” Actualite CD, 15 June 2022.

[14] UNMAS, “Annual Report 2021,” August 2022, pp. 54–55; and UNMAS, “Annual Report 2022,” April 2023, p. 28.

[15] DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Voluntary Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2013–31 December 2021), Form F, p. 14.

[16] DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Voluntary Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2013–31 December 2021), Form F, pp. 14–16, and Form G, p. 18.

[17] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023; and statement of the DRC, Convention on Cluster Munitions Tenth Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 30 August–2 September 2022, p. 2.

[18] UNMAS, “Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Support to UN Country Team and the Government,” updated January 2015.

[19] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[20] Statement of the DRC, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 20–22 June 2022, p. 1.

[21] “SYOPADI estimates there are more than 2,500 mine/ERW victims in North-Kivu,” Radio Okapi, 26 October 2022.

[22] Statement of the DRC, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 20–22 June 2022, p. 1; responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 18 August 2020 and 24 February 2021; and by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; Monitor media monitoring for calendar years 2018–2022; and Monitor analysis of ACLED data for calendar years 2020–2022.

[23] UNMAS, “Interactive Dashboard of the UN Mine Action Strategy,” undated.

[24] UNMAS, “Interactive Dashboard of the UN Mine Action Strategy,” undated; statement of the DRC, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 20–22 June 2022, p. 1; response to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 18 August 2020; Monitor media monitoring for calendar years 2018–2022; and Monitor analysis of ACLED data for calendar years 2020–2022.

[25] Monitor analysis of casualty data provided by Aurélie Fabry, UNMAS, 15 April 2014; Monitor analysis of casualty data provided by King Venance Ngoma Kilema, UNMAS, 22 July 2015 and 27 May 2016; and DRC Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 24 September 2020, p. 100.

[26] DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Voluntary Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2013–31 December 2021), Form H, pp. 19–22.

[27] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021; and by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; statement of the DRC, Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Review Conference, Oslo, 27 November 2019; DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2019–31 March 2022), Form A, p. 2; and DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Voluntary Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2013–31 December 2021), Form A, p. 3.

[28] Leganet, “Ministerial Decree No. 25/CAB/MININTERSEDE CAC/AOK/097/2023 of 06 February 2023,” 6 February 2023; and CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[29] UNMAS, “Annual Report 2022,” April 2023, p. 28.

[30] Leganet, “Ministerial Decree No. 25/CAB/MININTERSEDE CAC/AOK/097/2023 of 06 February 2023,” 6 February 2023.

[31] UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” January 2021, pp. 116–117; and UNOCHA “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” 17 February 2022, pp. 112–113; and UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” 22 February 2023, p. 121.

[32] UNMAS, “Where We Work: Democratic Republic of the Congo,” updated November 2022.

[33] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2019–31 March 2022), Form A, p. 2.

[34] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2019–31 March 2022), Form A, p. 2; DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Voluntary Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2013–31 December 2021), Form A, p. 3, and Form H, p. 22; and email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 13 June 2022.

[35] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021; and by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[36] UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Needs Overview,” December 2019, p. 65; and responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 18 August 2020 and 24 February 2021.

[37] UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” January 2021, pp. 116–117; and UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” 17 February 2022, pp. 112–113.

[38] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021; and by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[39] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, June 2021, p. 30.

[40] World Without Mines, “DRC: Identification of mined areas, neutralization of explosive devices, and public awareness: 2012–2022,” undated; SYOPADI Facebook posts, 9 March, 18 March, 5 April, and 21 April 2022; and AFRILAM Facebook posts, 10 September 2021 and 26 March 2022.

[41] UNMAS, “Where We Work: Democratic Republic of the Congo,” updated November 2022; and UNMAS, “Annual Report 2022,” April 2023, p. 28.

[42] MONUSCO, “Operational Mine Action Activities,” undated; and UNMAS, “Where We Work: Democratic Republic of the Congo,” updated November 2022.

[43] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; and by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021.

[44] DCA, “Factsheet: DR Congo,” November 2022.

[45] US Department of State, PM/WRA, “To Walk the Earth in Safety: 1 October 2021–30 September 2022,” June 2023, p. 12.

[46] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[47] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[48] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2019–31 March 2022), Form G, p. 4; responses to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; and by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021; DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2017), Form D, p. 10; DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2018), p. 6; and DRC Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 24 September 2020, p. 47. A figure of 422,461m² was also given for the period 1 January 2018 to March 2019. DRC also reported that from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020, 2.2km² of mined areas were cleared, which is inconsistent with what was reported for each calendar year since 2015.

[49] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 24 September 2020, pp. 22 and 27.

[50] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, Executive Summary, 16 September 2021, pp. 1–2, and Additional Information, 24 September 2021, pp. 2–3.

[51] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[52] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[53] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[54] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[55] The DRC uses the term “removed” but does not clearly state that these remnants were destroyed. DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2013–31 December 2021), Form F, p. 15.

[56] United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), “Convention on Cluster Munitions,” undated.

[57] Email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[58] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[59] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, June 2021, pp. 56–58; and DRC Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, August 2020, p. 111.

[60] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[61] UNMAS, “Annual Report 2022,” April 2023, p. 28.

[62] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021.

[63] UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Needs Overview,” January 2021, pp. 116–117; UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” 17 February 2022, pp. 112–113; and UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” 22 February 2023, p. 121.

[64] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[65] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021; and by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[66] UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Needs Overview,” December 2019, p. 65; DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, June 2021, p. 23; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022. Other national risk education operators in the DRC during 2021–2022 included SYLAM, Action for the Complete Development of Communities (Action pour le Développement Intégral par la conservation Communautaire, ADIC), the Association for the Protection of the Integral Environment (Actions de protection pour l’environnement intégral, APPEI), the African Demining, Development and Environment Group (Groupe Africain de Déminage, Développement et Environnement, GADDE), the Office of Development Actions and Emergencies (Bureau des actions de développement et des urgences, BADU), the Action Group Against Mines and for Sustainable Development (Groupe d’Action Contre les Mines pour le Développement Durable, GACCMD), the Congo Organization for Development, Education and Environmental Protection (Congo Organisation Pour le Développement, l’Education et la Protection de l’Environnement, COODEPE), and the Economic and Social Development Agency (Agence de Développement Économique et Social, ADES).

[67] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[68] SYOPADI Facebook post, 17 March 2022; and email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 13 June 2022.

[69] AFRILAM Facebook posts, 5 September 2022 and 4 April 2023; and email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 13 June 2022.

[70] UNMAS, “Annual Report 2022,” April 2023, p. 28; and email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 13 June 2022.

[71] US Department of State, PM/WRA, “To Walk the Earth in Safety: 1 October 2021–30 September 2022,” June 2023, p. 12; DCA, “Mine Clearance and Risk Education in D.R. Congo,” undated; response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; and World Without Mines, “DRC: Identification of mined areas, neutralization of explosive devices, and public awareness: 2012–2022,” undated.

[72] Email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 6 October 2023.

[73] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[74] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[75] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021; and by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; and UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” 17 February 2022, pp. 43 and 50.

[76] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021; and UNMAS, “Confirmed Hazardous and Suspected Mine contaminated areas and IDPs refugees sites, settlements and camps locations,” 3 February 2020.

[77] UNMAS, “Annual Report 2021,” August 2022, pp. 54–55; UNMAS, “Annual Report 2022,” April 2023, p. 28; and DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, June 2021, p. 23.

[78] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, June 2021, p. 23.

[79] Statement of the DRC, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 20–22 June 2022, p. 3.

[80] ICRC, “Annual Report 2021,” 27 July 2022, p. 133; ICRC, “Physical Rehabilitation Programme: 2022 Annual Report,” 1 May 2023, p. 22; and email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 28 June 2022.

[81] HI, “Country Sheet: Democratic Republic of Congo,” updated September 2022, p. 7.

[82] Leganet, “Ministerial Decree No. 25/CAB/MININTERSEDE CAC/AOK/097/2023 of 06 February 2023,” 6 February 2023.

[83] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[84] ICRC, “Annual Report 2021,” 27 July 2022, p. 133; and ICRC, “Annual Report 2022,” 29 June 2023, p. 109.

[85] Statement of the DRC, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 20–22 June 2022, p. 2.

[86] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021; and by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[87] Email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 13 June 2022; ICRC, “Physical Rehabilitation Programme: 2022 Annual Report,” 1 May 2023, p. 22; US Department of State, PM/WRA, “To Walk the Earth in Safety: 1 October 2021–30 September 2022,” June 2023, p. 12; Polus Center, “Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),” undated; HI, “Country Sheet: Democratic Republic of Congo,” updated September 2022, p. 7; ICRC, “Democratic Republic of the Congo: January to June 2020,” undated; and DCA, “DanChurchAid in Democratic Republic of Congo,” undated.

[88] Email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 13 June 2022; and “SYOPADI estimates there are more than 2,500 mine/ERW victims in North-Kivu,” Radio Okapi, 26 October 2022.

[89] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021.

[90] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, June 2021, p. 28.

[91] ICRC, “Annual Report 2022,” 29 June 2023, p. 106; and UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” 17 February 2022, pp. 18–22.

[92] ICRC, “Annual Report 2022,” 29 June 2023, p. 112; and ICRC, “Physical Rehabilitation Programme: 2022 Annual Report,” 1 May 2023, p. 22.

[93] ICRC, “Annual Report 2022,” 29 June 2023, p. 109.

[94] US Department of State, PM/WRA, “To Walk the Earth in Safety: 1 October 2021–30 September 2022,” June 2023, p. 12; and Polus Center, “Democratic Republic of the Congo: Vocational Training & Leadership Support,” undated.

[95] US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, “2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Democratic Republic of the Congo,” March 2023.

[96] ICRC, “Annual Report 2022,” 29 June 2023, p. 109.

[97] US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, “2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Democratic Republic of the Congo,” March 2023.

[98] Email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 13 June 2022; and statement of the DRC, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 20–22 June 2022, p. 2.

[1] Data as of September 2023. CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, Congolese Campaign to Ban Landmines (CCBL), 27 September 2023.

[2] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, June 2021, p. 22.

[3] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; and DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2019–31 March 2022), Form C, pp. 2–4. See, Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Database.

[4] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, Executive Summary, 16 September 2021, pp. 1–2, and Additional Information, 24 September 2021, pp. 2–3.

[5] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[6] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), “DRC: Humanitarian Needs Overview,” 3 February 2023, pp. 31 and 33; and DanChurchAid (DCA), “DanChurchAid in Democratic Republic of Congo,” undated.

[7] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 18 August 2020.

[8] “DRC-Beni: for fear of artisanal bombs, farmers hesitate to work in their fields,” Actualite CD, 16 November 2021; and “DRC-Beni: a person injured in a deadly item explosion in Mwenda,” Actualite CD, 15 June 2022.

[9] UNMAS, “Annual Report 2021,” August 2022, pp. 54–55; and UNMAS, “Annual Report 2022,” April 2023, p. 28.

[10] DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Voluntary Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2013–31 December 2021), Form F, p. 14.

[11] DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Voluntary Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2013–31 December 2021), Form F, pp. 14–16, and Form G, p. 18.

[12] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023; and statement of the DRC, Convention on Cluster Munitions Tenth Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 30 August–2 September 2022, p. 2.

[13] UNMAS, “Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Support to UN Country Team and the Government,” updated January 2015.

[14] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[15] Statement of the DRC, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 20–22 June 2022, p. 1.

[16] “SYOPADI estimates there are more than 2,500 mine/ERW victims in North-Kivu,” Radio Okapi, 26 October 2022.

[17] Statement of the DRC, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 20–22 June 2022, p. 1; responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 18 August 2020 and 24 February 2021; and by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; Monitor media monitoring for calendar years 2018–2022; and Monitor analysis of ACLED data for calendar years 2020–2022.

[18] UNMAS, “Interactive Dashboard of the UN Mine Action Strategy,” undated.

[19] UNMAS, “Interactive Dashboard of the UN Mine Action Strategy,” undated; statement of the DRC, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 20–22 June 2022, p. 1; response to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 18 August 2020; Monitor media monitoring for calendar years 2018–2022; and Monitor analysis of ACLED data for calendar years 2020–2022.

[20] Monitor analysis of casualty data provided by Aurélie Fabry, UNMAS, 15 April 2014; Monitor analysis of casualty data provided by King Venance Ngoma Kilema, UNMAS, 22 July 2015 and 27 May 2016; and DRC Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 24 September 2020, p. 100.

[21] DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Voluntary Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2013–31 December 2021), Form H, pp. 19–22.

[22] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021; and by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; statement of the DRC, Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Review Conference, Oslo, 27 November 2019; DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2019–31 March 2022), Form A, p. 2; and DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Voluntary Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2013–31 December 2021), Form A, p. 3.

[23] Leganet, “Ministerial Decree No. 25/CAB/MININTERSEDE CAC/AOK/097/2023 of 06 February 2023,” 6 February 2023; and CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[24] UNMAS, “Annual Report 2022,” April 2023, p. 28.

[25] Leganet, “Ministerial Decree No. 25/CAB/MININTERSEDE CAC/AOK/097/2023 of 06 February 2023,” 6 February 2023.

[26] UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” January 2021, pp. 116–117; and UNOCHA “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” 17 February 2022, pp. 112–113; and UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” 22 February 2023, p. 121.

[27] UNMAS, “Where We Work: Democratic Republic of the Congo,” updated November 2022.

[28] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2019–31 March 2022), Form A, p. 2.

[29] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2019–31 March 2022), Form A, p. 2; DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Voluntary Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2013–31 December 2021), Form A, p. 3, and Form H, p. 22; and email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 13 June 2022.

[30] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021; and by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[31] UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Needs Overview,” December 2019, p. 65; and responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 18 August 2020 and 24 February 2021.

[32] UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” January 2021, pp. 116–117; and UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” 17 February 2022, pp. 112–113.

[33] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021; and by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[34] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, June 2021, p. 30.

[35] World Without Mines, “DRC: Identification of mined areas, neutralization of explosive devices, and public awareness: 2012–2022,” undated; SYOPADI Facebook posts, 9 March, 18 March, 5 April, and 21 April 2022; and AFRILAM Facebook posts, 10 September 2021 and 26 March 2022.

[36] UNMAS, “Where We Work: Democratic Republic of the Congo,” updated November 2022; and UNMAS, “Annual Report 2022,” April 2023, p. 28.

[37] MONUSCO, “Operational Mine Action Activities,” undated; and UNMAS, “Where We Work: Democratic Republic of the Congo,” updated November 2022.

[38] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; and by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021.

[39] DCA, “Factsheet: DR Congo,” November 2022.

[40] US Department of State, PM/WRA, “To Walk the Earth in Safety: 1 October 2021–30 September 2022,” June 2023, p. 12.

[41] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[42] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[43] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2019–31 March 2022), Form G, p. 4; responses to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; and by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021; DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2017), Form D, p. 10; DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2018), p. 6; and DRC Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 24 September 2020, p. 47. A figure of 422,461m² was also given for the period 1 January 2018 to March 2019. DRC also reported that from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020, 2.2km² of mined areas were cleared, which is inconsistent with what was reported for each calendar year since 2015.

[44] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 24 September 2020, pp. 22 and 27.

[45] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, Executive Summary, 16 September 2021, pp. 1–2, and Additional Information, 24 September 2021, pp. 2–3.

[46] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[47] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[48] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[49] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[50] The DRC uses the term “removed” but does not clearly state that these remnants were destroyed. DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2013–31 December 2021), Form F, p. 15.

[51] United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), “Convention on Cluster Munitions,” undated.

[52] Email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[53] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[54] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, June 2021, pp. 56–58; and DRC Mine Ban Treaty Third Article 5 deadline Extension Request, August 2020, p. 111.

[55] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[56] UNMAS, “Annual Report 2022,” April 2023, p. 28.

[57] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021.

[58] UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Needs Overview,” January 2021, pp. 116–117; UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” 17 February 2022, pp. 112–113; and UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” 22 February 2023, p. 121.

[59] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[60] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021; and by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[61] UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Needs Overview,” December 2019, p. 65; DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, June 2021, p. 23; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022. Other national risk education operators in the DRC during 2021–2022 included SYLAM, Action for the Complete Development of Communities (Action pour le Développement Intégral par la conservation Communautaire, ADIC), the Association for the Protection of the Integral Environment (Actions de protection pour l’environnement intégral, APPEI), the African Demining, Development and Environment Group (Groupe Africain de Déminage, Développement et Environnement, GADDE), the Office of Development Actions and Emergencies (Bureau des actions de développement et des urgences, BADU), the Action Group Against Mines and for Sustainable Development (Groupe d’Action Contre les Mines pour le Développement Durable, GACCMD), the Congo Organization for Development, Education and Environmental Protection (Congo Organisation Pour le Développement, l’Education et la Protection de l’Environnement, COODEPE), and the Economic and Social Development Agency (Agence de Développement Économique et Social, ADES).

[62] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[63] SYOPADI Facebook post, 17 March 2022; and email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 13 June 2022.

[64] AFRILAM Facebook posts, 5 September 2022 and 4 April 2023; and email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 13 June 2022.

[65] UNMAS, “Annual Report 2022,” April 2023, p. 28; and email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 13 June 2022.

[66] US Department of State, PM/WRA, “To Walk the Earth in Safety: 1 October 2021–30 September 2022,” June 2023, p. 12; DCA, “Mine Clearance and Risk Education in D.R. Congo,” undated; response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; and World Without Mines, “DRC: Identification of mined areas, neutralization of explosive devices, and public awareness: 2012–2022,” undated.

[67] Email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 6 October 2023.

[68] CCLAM data provided by email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 27 September 2023.

[69] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[70] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021; and by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022; and UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” 17 February 2022, pp. 43 and 50.

[71] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021; and UNMAS, “Confirmed Hazardous and Suspected Mine contaminated areas and IDPs refugees sites, settlements and camps locations,” 3 February 2020.

[72] UNMAS, “Annual Report 2021,” August 2022, pp. 54–55; UNMAS, “Annual Report 2022,” April 2023, p. 28; and DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, June 2021, p. 23.

[73] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, June 2021, p. 23.

[74] Statement of the DRC, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 20–22 June 2022, p. 3.

[75] ICRC, “Annual Report 2021,” 27 July 2022, p. 133; ICRC, “Physical Rehabilitation Programme: 2022 Annual Report,” 1 May 2023, p. 22; and email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 28 June 2022.

[76] HI, “Country Sheet: Democratic Republic of Congo,” updated September 2022, p. 7.

[77] Leganet, “Ministerial Decree No. 25/CAB/MININTERSEDE CAC/AOK/097/2023 of 06 February 2023,” 6 February 2023.

[78] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[79] ICRC, “Annual Report 2021,” 27 July 2022, p. 133; and ICRC, “Annual Report 2022,” 29 June 2023, p. 109.

[80] Statement of the DRC, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 20–22 June 2022, p. 2.

[81] Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021; and by Cyprien Kasembe Okenge, Head of Program and Victim Assistance Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 March 2022.

[82] Email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 13 June 2022; ICRC, “Physical Rehabilitation Programme: 2022 Annual Report,” 1 May 2023, p. 22; US Department of State, PM/WRA, “To Walk the Earth in Safety: 1 October 2021–30 September 2022,” June 2023, p. 12; Polus Center, “Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),” undated; HI, “Country Sheet: Democratic Republic of Congo,” updated September 2022, p. 7; ICRC, “Democratic Republic of the Congo: January to June 2020,” undated; and DCA, “DanChurchAid in Democratic Republic of Congo,” undated.

[83] Email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 13 June 2022; and “SYOPADI estimates there are more than 2,500 mine/ERW victims in North-Kivu,” Radio Okapi, 26 October 2022.

[84] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Sudi Alimasi Kimputu, National Coordinator, CCLAM, 24 February 2021.

[85] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, June 2021, p. 28.

[86] ICRC, “Annual Report 2022,” 29 June 2023, p. 106; and UNOCHA, “DRC: Humanitarian Response Plan,” 17 February 2022, pp. 18–22.

[87] ICRC, “Annual Report 2022,” 29 June 2023, p. 112; and ICRC, “Physical Rehabilitation Programme: 2022 Annual Report,” 1 May 2023, p. 22.

[88] ICRC, “Annual Report 2022,” 29 June 2023, p. 109.

[89] US Department of State, PM/WRA, “To Walk the Earth in Safety: 1 October 2021–30 September 2022,” June 2023, p. 12; and Polus Center, “Democratic Republic of the Congo: Vocational Training & Leadership Support,” undated.

[90] US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, “2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Democratic Republic of the Congo,” March 2023.

[91] ICRC, “Annual Report 2022,” 29 June 2023, p. 109.

[92] US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, “2022 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Democratic Republic of the Congo,” March 2023.

[93] Email from Elysee Kibiribiri, Advocacy and Victim Assistance Manager, CCBL, 13 June 2022; and statement of the DRC, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 20–22 June 2022, p. 2.

[3] DRC Convention on Cluster Munitions Voluntary Article 7 Report (for 1 January 2013–31 December 2021), Form F, p. 14. See, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Database.

[4] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, June 2021, p. 23.

Mine Ban Policy

Last updated: 17 November 2022

Policy

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty on 2 May 2002, becoming a State Party on 1 November 2002. The National Commission to Fight Antipersonnel Mines was created in 2002.[1]

The DRC enacted national legislation to implement the Mine Ban Treaty in 2011. Law No. 11/007, Implementing the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Antipersonnel Mines and on their Destruction in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was promulgated by the president on 9 July 2011 and published in the official journal on 15 July 2011.[2] The law was first adopted in December 2010 and a final version adopted by Parliament on 16 June 2011.[3]

Law No. 11/007 prohibits the development, manufacture, production, acquisition, stockpiling, conservation, supply, sale, import, export, transfer, and use of antipersonnel landmines or their components, and also prohibits assistance, encouragement, or inducement in these activities.[4] The law establishes penal sanctions for persons violating its provisions of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of CDF10–20 million (about US$11,000–$22,000). The law also provides penal sanctions for legal entities (companies) guilty of violations of CDF10–20 million (about US$11,000–$22,000) and contains provisions on victim assistance.[5]

The DRC regularly attends meetings of the treaty. It most recently participated in the Nineteenth Meeting of States Parties held virtually in November 2021, and the intersessional meetings held in Geneva in June 2022, where it presented on its Article 5 extension request.[6] The DRC also attended the Fourth Review Conference in Oslo in November 2019. The DRC provided its most recent updated Article 7 transparency report in 2022.

The DRC is not party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW). It is a signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Production, transfer, use, stockpile destruction, and retention

The DRC is not known to have produced or exported antipersonnel landmines. While government forces have used antipersonnel mines in the past, the Monitor has not received any allegations of such use since the DRC acceded to the treaty in 2002. There were credible allegations of use of antipersonnel landmines in the DRC by non-state armed groups (NSAGs) until at least 2004, and by Rwandan and Ugandan government forces in the country in 2000.[7]

In May 2006, the DRC informed States Parties that it had completed the destruction of all 2,864 stockpiled antipersonnel mines that it was able to identify, thus fulfilling its treaty obligation to destroy stocks by 1 November 2006. The DRC stated that if more stockpiled antipersonnel mines were discovered, then they would be destroyed in a timely fashion.[8]

Previously, the DRC has destroyed newly discovered, seized, or turned-in antipersonnel mines on many occasions. It reported an additional 198 mines destroyed in 2006; 936 in 2007; 631 in 2008; 101 in 2009; and 70 in 2010.[9] In its Article 7 report submitted in 2022, the DRC reported small numbers of mines destroyed in recent years, though the context is unclear.[10]

In March 2010, a DRC government official informed the Monitor that there were some live antipersonnel mines retained for training at the Military Engineers’ School in Likasi, but the types and numbers have not yet been reported.[11] Since 2011, the DRC has reported “not applicable” on Form D of its Article 7 report, on mines retained for training or research purposes. In 2009, as in its previous report, the DRC stated that information on retained mines was “not yet available.”[12]

Landmine use by non-state armed groups

NSAGs remain active in the country.[13] Sporadic use of antipersonnel landmines has been reported by the Monitor in the DRC the past.[14] In December 2021, a woman escaping a camp of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) was injured by an antipersonnel landmine laid on the perimeter of the camp. Other incidents of mine use attributed to the ADF occurred during late 2021. In November, September, and August 2021 at least four farmers were killed in incidents across different areas of North Kivu province by antipersonnel landmines alleged to have been laid by the ADF. In July 2021, two children in Ituri province were killed by an explosive device allegedly laid by the ADF.[15] The Monitor had previously reported on mine use by the ADF in November 2005.[16]

[1] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form A, 30 April 2003. See, Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Database; and ICBL, Landmine Monitor Report 2006: Toward a Mine-Free World (Ottawa: Mines Action Canada, July 2006), p. 325.

[2] Email from André Tabaro, Coordinator, National Association of Landmine Survivors, 19 August 2011.

[3] The law was first adopted in December 2010, but there were differences between the versions adopted by the Senate and the National Assembly, so a reconciled version was adopted on 16 June 2011. ICBL meeting with Sudi Kimputu, Coordinator, National Focal Point for Mine Action in the DRC, and Charles Frisby, Chief of Staff, DRC Mine Action Coordination Center, in Geneva, 23 June 2011.

[4] National Assembly/Senate Joint Commission, “Proposition de loi portant mise en oeuvre de la Convention sur l’interdiction de l’emploi du stockage, de la production et du transfert des mines antipersonnel et sur leur destruction en Republic Democratique du Congo” (“Bill to implement the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production, and Transfer of Antipersonnel Mines and their Destruction in the Democratic Republic of Congo”), June 2011, Articles 3 and 4.

[5] Ibid., Chapter 7. The law requires the immediate cessation of production of antipersonnel mines and for anyone, except government or other authorized public agencies, who produces or possesses antipersonnel mines or their components as referred to under Article 3, to immediately notify the Ministry of Defense or the Ministry of Civil Protection of the total stock, including the type, quantity, and where possible, lot number, for each type. Average exchange rate for 2010: US$1=CDF901.922. Oanda, www.oanda.com.

[6] DRC, Presentation on the implementation of Article 5, Mine Ban Treaty intersessional meetings, Geneva, 21 June 2022.

[7] ICBL, Landmine Monitor Report 2009: Toward a Mine-Free World (Ottawa: Mines Action Canada, October 2009), p. 327.

[8] ICBL, Landmine Monitor Report 2006: Toward a Mine-Free World (Ottawa: Mines Action Canada, July 2006), pp. 326–327. In May 2006, a representative did not indicate the date on which the DRC considered the program completed. The 2,864 mines destroyed included mines held in the military regions, mines recovered from NSAGs, and abandoned mines. Apparently, this total only included seven mines (Claymore type) held by the armed forces.

[9] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Reports, Form G, 30 April 2011, 30 April 2010, 22 May 2009, and 20 May 2008; ICBL, Landmine Monitor Report 2009: Toward a Mine-Free World (Ottawa: Mines Action Canada, July 2006), p. 327; and ICBL, Landmine Monitor Report 2008: Toward a Mine-Free World (Ottawa, Mines Action Canada, October 2008), p. 280. In 2010, the DRC reported 38 PMA-2 mines found and destroyed: 33 by Mechem in Kisangani, two by Handicap International (HI) Belgium, two by HI Federation in Oriental province, and one by Mines Advisory Group (MAG) in Bas-Congo province. Additionally, 16 TS-50 mines were found and destroyed: 10 by DanChurchAid (DCA), five by MAG in Katanga, and one by HI Belgium in Oriental province. One PPM-2 mine was found and destroyed by MAG in Bas-Congo; 14 M35 mines were found and destroyed (nine by DCA and five by MAG in Katanga); and two mines of unknown types found and destroyed by MAG in September 2010. In 2009, the DRC reported eight PMA-2 mines found and destroyed (one by MAG in Ikela, one by HI Belgium in Yengeni, and six by Mechem in Sange, Kisangani, and Bangboka); 43 TS-50 mines were found and destroyed (41 by DCA in Kabumba, Mitondo, and Lubandula, one by MAG in Kirungu, and one by Mechem in Kisangani); one M2A4 mine was found and destroyed by Mechem in Bangboka; 21 M35 mines were found and destroyed (15 handed over by the national armed forces [Forces Armées de la République Démocratique du Congo, FARDC] and destroyed by MAG in Lubumbashi, five by MAG in Lubumbashi and Selembe, and one by DCA at an unspecified location); one PROM 1 mine was found and destroyed by MAG in Kasenga; two No. 4 mines were found and destroyed by MAG in Ikela; eight Type 69 mines were found and destroyed by MAG in Lubumbashi; and eight Type 58 mines were found and destroyed by MAG in Gemena. The 101 reported also included nine Claymore Z1 mines, eight found and destroyed by MAG in Shamwana, Ikela, and Bomongo, and one by MECHEM in Bogoro. The reports do not explain whether the landmines were discovered among FARDC arsenals or were discovered or seized from other sources, with the exception of 15 M35 mines handed over by the FARDC in November 2009.

[10] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2021), Form G, p. 4.

[11] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Capt. Roger Bokwango, National Focal Point for Mine Action in the DRC, 30 March 2010. The response stated: “Il y aurait quelques mines Antipersonnel réelles à l’école du Génie Militaire de Likasi, mais les types et les nombres n’ont pas encore été rapportés” (“There are believed to be real antipersonnel landmines at Likasi School of Military Engineering, but the types and numbers have not yet been reported”).

[12] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form D, 22 May 2009.

[13] These include the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO), and the 23 March Movement (M23) among other smaller armed groups.

[14] Previously, in August 2009, a military officer reportedly stated that 25 soldiers had been killed by antipersonnel landmines laid by the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (Forces Démocratiques de Liberation du Rwanda, FDLR), and noted, “We are not aware of other antipersonnel mines planted in the area.” See, “350 Rwandan Hutu militiamen killed during Operation Kimia II in South Kivu province,” Radio Okapi, 29 August 2009.

[15] Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) data for the DRC, 2021. See, ACLED website.

[16] ICBL, Landmine Monitor Report 2006: Toward a Mine-Free World (Ottawa: Mines Action Canada, July 2006), p. 329.

Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 22 December 2023

In 2022, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) received US$2.9 million in international mine action support from two donors.[1]

The DRC also received in-kind assistance in 2022 from Switzerland, valued at CHF1 million (approximately $1 million), to support mine clearance operations.[2]

The DRC has never reported any national contributions to its mine action program. However, in its fourth Mine Ban Treaty Article 5 deadline extension request, submitted in July 2021, the DRC committed to providing approximately $272,271 for operational costs in the period from July 2022 to December 2025.[3] No details on its level of contribution in 2022 were available.

International contributions: 2022

Donor	Sector	Amount (national currency)	Amount (US$)
United States	Clearance, risk education	US$2,000,000	2,000,000
South Korea	Capacity-building, clearance	N/R	900,000
Total	-	N/A	2,900,000

Note: N/A=not applicable; N/R=not reported.

Five-year support for mine action

In the five-year period from 2018–2022, international contributions to mine action activities in the DRC totaled approximately $25 million, averaging some $5 million per year.

In 2021, the DRC’s fourth Mine Ban Treaty Article 5 deadline extension request projected that a budget of $3.9 million would be required for 2022–2025, of which $2.3 million would go to demining and survey operations and $1 million to risk education, while the remainder would be used for coordination activities.[4]

Summary of international contributions: 2018–2022[5]

Year	International contributions (US$)	% change from previous year
2022	2,900,000	-28
2021	4,000,000	+17
2020	3,406,754	-51
2019	6,908,793	-11
2018	7,789,468	+36
Total	25,005,015	N/A

Note: N/A=not applicable.

[1] South Korea: United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), “Annual Report 2022,” April 2023, pp. 119–120. United States: US Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA), “To Walk the Earth in Safety: 1 October 2021–30 September 2022,” 4 April 2023.

[2] Switzerland Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2022), Form I, April 2021. See, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Database. Annual exchange rate for 2022: CHF0.9550=US$1. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 9 January 2023.

[3] DRC Mine Ban Treaty Fourth Article 5 deadline Extension Request, 9 July 2021, p. 36.

[4] Ibid.

[5] See previous Support for Mine Action country profiles. ICBL-CMC, “Country Profiles: DRC,” undated; and ICBL, Landmine Monitor 2022 (ICBL-CMC: Geneva, November 2022).