The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), known as MONUSCO, closed its main office in South Kivu province on Tuesday, marking a significant step in its withdrawal from the eastern part of the country.
This move comes at the request of the Congolese government, which has grown critical of the mission’s effectiveness in curbing violence.
MONUSCO first deployed troops in the DRC in 2003 to help stabilize the country after years of civil war.
However, with over 15,000 peacekeepers still present, the Kinshasa government felt the mission had become cumbersome.
In December 2023, the UN Security Council approved a resolution authorizing the withdrawal of peacekeepers from South Kivu by May 2024.
“The withdrawal process has proceeded smoothly despite the challenges,” stated MONUSCO chief Bintou Keita.
Since January, the mission has successfully transferred or closed seven bases in South Kivu. It also ceased operations in three additional locations, with their handover to the Congolese army expected in the coming weeks.
While praising MONUSCO’s past contributions, Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemin Shabani emphasized the country’s newfound self-reliance.
“We’ve come a long way since MONUSCO’s arrival in 1999, when the country was fractured by rebellions,” he remarked.
“Today, we stand united in defending our sovereignty.”
However, the situation remains precarious in the eastern provinces of North Kivu and Ituri.
The M23 rebel group, backed by Rwanda, continues to hold significant territory in North Kivu, raising concerns about the future stability of the region.
The timeline for MONUSCO’s withdrawal from these provinces remains unclear.
