UN Peacekeepers Begin Gradual Departure from Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo has initiated the first stage of a major transition as UN peacekeepers begin to exit the country. Announced on Saturday by DRC Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula, the long-standing MONUSCO mission, which has been in place since 1999, is set to complete its withdrawal by the conclusion of 2023.

This commencement comes even as the eastern regions of the DRC continue to witness significant violence and upheaval. The departure strategy was deliberated by the UN Security Council in December, to align with Kinshasa's accelerated withdrawal requests. Despite the UN's concerns, the DRC government has been firm in its stance, calling for an expedited retreat of the peacekeeping forces.

The DRC's insistence on the pullback stems from the belief that UN forces have fallen short of effectively protecting civilians from the prolonged threats of armed groups and militias, particularly in the eastern territories—a sentiment echoed by other African nations, such as Mali.

The phased approach agreed upon will see an orderly transition, with regular assessments dictating the timetable. The initial phase involves a withdrawal from South Kivu by April's end. Although not physically mobilizing troops yet, Lutundula clarified that the process is underway as administrative and preparatory tasks progress.

Bintou Keita, the head of MONUSCO, outlined the specifics of the South Kivu retreat, noting the closure and transfer of the Kamanyola base, located on the border with Burundi, to Congolese forces by February 15. The MONUSCO currently comprises 13,500 soldiers and 2,000 police officers across the three provinces of Ituri, South, and North Kivu.

While exact timings haven't been publicized by the UN, Lutundula expressed his anticipation that the complete departure will be realized by the end of the year. He also highlighted that the exit of UN forces would not signify the end of conflict in the region, taking the opportunity to reference Kinshasa's allegations that Rwanda has been militarily supporting the M23 rebel group in North Kivu.

Amid the procedural discussions of the withdrawal, the human aspect of the conflict was made evident through Keita's statement, which touched on the staggering figure of nearly seven million internally displaced persons in the DRC, 5.5 million of whom are in the eastern part of the country. The call for the disarmament of armed factions is a plea for these communities to have the chance to return home safely.

The MONUSCO pullout marks the beginning of a new chapter for the DRC, as it navigates its security challenges with a reduced international footprint. The global community is watching closely to see how the Congolese authorities manage the dynamics of this transition period and the potential ramifications for peace and stability in the region.