On Wednesday, the UN peacekeeping mission in DR Congo announced the signing of a troop withdrawal plan for the central African nation, withholding specific details about the timeline involved.
In a statement, the peacekeeping mission, Monusco, announced the co-signing of a document outlining an expedited, phased, organized, and accountable withdrawal process from the country.
The document encompasses a withdrawal plan and schedule; however, the peacekeeping mission provided minimal specifics, indicating it will be executed in three distinct phases.
Monusco stands as among the largest and most expensive UN peacekeeping missions globally, operating on an annual budget of approximately $1 billion.
Peacekeeping forces have maintained a presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1999, yet militia violence persists in the eastern region of the country.
Numerous armed groups remain active in eastern DRC, a consequence of past regional conflicts that escalated during the 1990s and 2000s.
The existing 14,000-strong peacekeeping force of Monusco faces significant unpopularity, largely stemming from the perception that it has made minimal efforts to curb violence.
The Congolese government has formally demanded an expedited departure of Monusco.
