UN begins DR Congo withdrawal after 25-year stay: summary

What we know

• Approximately 2,000 United Nations (U.N.) troops are slated to depart from the volatile eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by the end of April. This marks the initial stage of the planned withdrawal of the peacekeeping mission from the country.
• The decision to withdraw U.N. troops is in response to a request made by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi in September 2023, prompting the U.N. Security Council to approve the conclusion of the mission in December 2023.
• The move reflects a concerted effort to expedite the withdrawal of peacekeepers from the restive eastern areas of the DRC.
• Conflicts in Congo have resulted in the displacement of over 7 million people, predominantly in the three eastern provinces. The ongoing presence of numerous armed groups in these regions contributes to the persistent humanitarian crisis and mass displacement.
• In 2010, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) assumed responsibility for a previous UN operation to address insecurity in the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), characterised by armed groups vying for control over territory and resources.
• However, in recent years, MONUSCO's presence has garnered growing unpopularity, with critics attributing this to perceived inadequacies in addressing security concerns and protecting civilians in the volatile region.

What they said

Head of MONUSCO, Bintou Keita, told the press, “We have a ceiling of 13,500 troops authorised by the Security Council; as of April 30th, with the start of the withdrawal underway, we will reach 11,500.” Congolese Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula during a press conference also said "After 25 years of presence, MONUSCO will definitively leave the DRC no later than the end of 2024. The withdrawal of MONUSCO does not necessarily mean the end of the fight we are undertaking to protect the territorial interests of our country; we must continue to struggle."