MONUSCO Launches New Mission In DR Congo To Protect Civilians From Conflict

The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has started a new operation in the country’s conflict-hit North Kivu province to protect civilians from the ongoing conflict, reported The AllAfrica.

The announcement follows resumption of fighting between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the rebel group M23 on Sunday in the North Kivu province.

In a statement posted on Twitter, MONUSCO said that its Force Intervention Brigade kicked off Operation LINDA NJIA (Protect the Road) to protect civilians in North-Kivu.

The statement added that MONUSCO along with the Congolese forces have increased field patrols to counter the movements of armed groups.

According to the United Nations (UN), the protection of civilians in eastern DR Congo remains a major challenge.

The armed conflict between the DR Congo forces and the M23 rebels has led to massive displacement of people in the region.

In November, the summit between Congolese and Rwandan authorities ended with an agreement for an “immediate ceasefire.”

“MONUSCO supports the steps aimed at implementing the decisions of the Luanda mini summit,” MONUSCO spokesperson Khady Lo Ndey told reporters.

The M23 rebel group has taken swathes of territory from the Congolese army under its control in recent months. Amid heavy international pressure, the rebel group recently announced its withdrawal from the strategic town of Kibumba and handed over it to an East African military force as a goodwill gesture for peace. But, the DR Congo’s army promptly dubbed the Kibumba handover a sham.

The DRC, the United States and several European countries have repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, although Kigali denies the charge.

The Rwandan government has accused the DRC government of using the conflict for political purposes. The presidential elections in the DR Congo are scheduled to be held next December.

Last month, the United Nations Security Council voted unanimously to extend the MONUSCO mandate until December 20, 2023.