The communities of Ituri condition the withdrawal of MONUSCO on a return to peace
In an exchange with the head of MONUSCO, Bintou Keita, the various communities of Ituri expressed their wish that the withdrawal of the UN mission from their province be conditional on the return of peace. During this meeting, which took place in Bunia, community representatives stressed the importance of protecting the population in areas still occupied by armed groups.
According to Célestin Tawara, president of the Bhale community, MONUSCO should transfer its security skills to the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) and the National Police. He also pointed out that some misguided elements of the armed groups continue to commit abuses and oppose disarmament and peace processes, thus endangering the population. It is therefore essential to establish a protection plan for the population before the withdrawal of MONUSCO is considered.
Ituri notables also requested MONUSCO to assist the government in restoring state authority in all entities occupied by armed groups in Ituri. They expressed their wish to see a full restoration of state authority and a more effective fight against armed groups in the region.
In response to these concerns, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Bintou Keita, took note of the requests and pledged to convey them to the country’s authorities upon her return to Kinshasa.
It is essential to understand that for the communities of Ituri, peace and the protection of the population are absolute priorities. The withdrawal of MONUSCO can only be considered when these conditions are met. This shows the determination of the local communities to be actively involved in the process of pacification of the region and to guarantee a more serene future for all.
Thus, it is necessary to put in place adequate protection measures and to strengthen the presence of the State in the still unstable areas of Ituri. This will restore the confidence of local populations and foster a climate conducive to development and reconciliation. The withdrawal of MONUSCO should not be seen as an end in itself, but rather as a step towards a peaceful and prosperous future for Ituri and its inhabitants.
The situation in Ituri recalls the crucial importance of the work of MONUSCO and underlines the need for close cooperation between national and international actors to achieve true stability in the region. Only a comprehensive approach, combining security, governance and development efforts, can guarantee a better future for Ituri and the Democratic Republic of Congo as a whole