The United Nations Security Council has voted to extend the mandate of its peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), known as MONUSCO, until December 2025.
This decision delays the planned withdrawal from the country’s conflict-ridden eastern provinces.
Despite previous calls by the Congolese government for the force to leave, a note from Congo’s mission to the UN in New York indicated support for the renewal. The note, titled “Vision for MONUSCO Withdrawal and the Renewal of Its Mandate,” stated Kinshasa’s preference for a “robust posture” by MONUSCO forces.
The extension ensures that nearly 11,000 peacekeepers will remain in the mineral-rich eastern region, where ongoing conflicts over territory and resources have perpetuated instability. MONUSCO’s withdrawal from North Kivu and Ituri provinces, initially planned for 2023, was paused in July due to deteriorating security conditions.
The Congolese government attributed this to the presence of Rwandan troops allegedly supporting the M23 rebel group, a claim Rwanda denies.
A UN resolution accompanying the mandate condemned any external support for armed groups in the DRC and called for the immediate withdrawal of unauthorised foreign military forces.
However, disagreements within the Security Council emerged, with the United States criticising the reluctance of some members to explicitly name Rwanda for its alleged support of M23 rebels.
President Felix Tshisekedi has previously called for MONUSCO’s departure, citing public dissatisfaction with its performance. Protests in eastern DRC have highlighted frustrations over the mission’s perceived failure to protect civilians from militia violence.
While MONUSCO’s presence remains contentious, the Congolese government has stressed the need for an orderly withdrawal plan that focuses the force on the country’s most volatile areas. Discussions on the mission’s eventual exit are expected to continue.
