By John Ikani
President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi has called for a quicker departure of UN forces from his nation beginning this year.
Addressing the UN General Assembly, he declared his government’s intent to engage in discussions with the UN to advance “the start of this gradual withdrawal from December 2024 to December 2023.”
President Tshisekedi highlighted that the Monusco Mission, in operation for nearly a quarter of a century, had not succeeded in bringing lasting peace to the country. He stressed that maintaining reliance on the force for peace was futile and counterproductive.
In his address in New York, he asserted, “It is time for our country to take full control of its destiny and assume the primary role in ensuring its own stability.”
Monusco currently boasts a substantial presence in the country, with almost 18,000 personnel, including over 12,000 soldiers, making it the second-largest UN mission globally.
However, its standing has eroded over recent years, facing mounting public discontent and numerous protests, particularly since last year. Demonstrators accuse the force of falling short in safeguarding civilians against prolonged attacks by various rebel groups operating in the mineral-rich eastern region of the nation.
DR Congo is gearing up for elections scheduled for late December. Following anti-UN protests, an agreement was reached to initiate the force’s withdrawal in the subsequent month.
Last year, an East African contingent was deployed to the eastern part of DR Congo to assist the Congolese military in quelling ongoing conflicts, though it, too, has faced criticism.
