Joint technical teams operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have finalized a plan for the withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, as confirmed by a UN spokesperson on Wednesday.
Deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq, speaking on behalf of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, highlighted that the plan to phase out the mission, known as MONUSCO, will be a collaborative effort carried out in stages, with support from both international and national partners within the DRC.
Haq revealed that Bintou Keita, the head of the UN mission, and Christophe Lutundula, the Congolese vice prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, signed a document outlining the accelerated, gradual, orderly, and responsible withdrawal of MONUSCO from the DRC. This document includes a detailed plan and timeline for the complete disengagement of the mission within the country.
The spokesperson noted that in September, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi reiterated the nation’s commitment to hasten MONUSCO’s withdrawal, set to commence in December. Subsequently, following an October 16 Security Council presidential statement addressing this request, the joint teams formulated the withdrawal plan.
“Following the mission’s departure, the UN system will persist in aiding the Congolese government and its people in their developmental endeavors, aiming to uphold the country’s peacebuilding and security achievements,” stated Haq.
In a 2010 resolution, the Security Council had authorized MONUSCO to replace an earlier UN peacekeeping operation, MONUC, signifying a new phase in the DRC. The mission was granted the authority to utilize all necessary means to fulfill its mandate, which encompassed protecting civilians, humanitarian workers, and human rights, while also supporting the government’s efforts in stabilizing and consolidating peace.
However, the DRC’s eastern provinces continued to face deadly rebel incursions, with allegations that certain rebel groups were receiving support from neighboring countries.
