By John Ikani
The Democratic Republic of Congo is expected to hold talks with the UN mission in the country, Monusco, on the withdrawal of peacekeepers that will “meet the demand of the people”, government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya has said.
The announcement came after President Félix Tshisekedi chaired a meeting with the presidents of the two chambers of Parliament, the Prime Minister minister and officials from the eastern North Kivu province.
The presidency shared pictures of the meeting:
https://twitter.com/Presidence_RDC/status/1554249436292939778
Deadly protests demanding Monusco’s expulsion erupted in North Kivu’s capital, Goma, on 25 July and have since spread.
Activists accuse the UN mission of failing to stop a decades-long rebellion in the east.
Mr Muyaya said on Monday that a total of 36 people, including four UN peacekeepers, have been killed following the protests.
“In view of the above, the government was instructed to expedite a meeting with Monusco to reassess the plan for its withdrawal agreed under Security Council Resolution 2556,” he said.
Security forces dispersed fresh protests in Beni, North Kivu, on Monday that disrupted activities in region.
Meanwhile, several people were injured as police dispersed anti-UN demonstrations in the northern Tshopo province.
A UN peacekeeping force has been in DR Congo for more than two decades. Monusco took over from a previous UN mission in 2010.
