KINSHASA, DR Congo: United Nations peacekeepers have suspended operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s restive South Kivu region after more than two decades, officials said on Tuesday.
The MONUSCO mission “is ceasing its operations today in South Kivu province,” said a statement. “From 1 May, 2024 the mission’s mandate, including its responsibility to protect civilians ceases in this province”.
The mission, which began operations in January, announced that it would now limit its operations to North Kivu and Ituri.
At the government’s request, the United Nations passed a resolution in December 2023 calling for the withdrawal of peacekeeping forces from South Kivu by early May.
Some uniformed personnel will, however, remain for security to UN staff and facilities, but will leave by June 30, leaving behind a civilian team.
MONUSCO emphasized that United Nations organizations, funds and programmes will continue their support in line with their mandates in the country.
The first UN peacekeeping force was deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2003, and to date more than 100,000 “blue helmet” troops have served in violence-hit South Kivu.
The responsibility for the safety and physical protection of civilians now rests with the Defence and security forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which continue to work closely with communities and other local leaders, said MONUSCO head Bintou Keita.
MONUSCO’s 15,000-strong force in the sprawling Central African nation began withdrawing in February at the request of the Kinshasa government, which it deemed ineffective.
The second phase of the UN’s three-phase secession plan concerns war-torn North Kivu, where the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwandan military units, has occupied large swaths of territory.
UNESCO announced that it had handed over two military bases to national authorities as part of its disarmament.
Five of the remaining seven military bases will be transferred to the DRC army within the next two months, and two will be closed.
