The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is at the center of international news with the pressure exerted by the opposition in the face of the demand for the hasty departure of the UN mission in the country, Monusco. This request was strongly rejected by the party of the opponent Moïse Katumbi, Together for the Republic, which sees it as an attempt by the power in place to get rid of an embarrassing witness in a context of human rights violations and crimes attributed to the regime.
Indeed, according to the secretary general of Ensemble pour la République, Dieudonné Bolengetenge, the security of civilian populations is more than uncertain in certain regions of the country, particularly in Ituri and North Kivu. He points out that not only are armed groups committing massacres, but even the new Republican Guard is involved in violence against civilians. In this context, the presence of Monusco is essential to guarantee the safety of the populations and avoid an escalation of the situation.
According to Dieudonné Bolengetenge, the hasty departure of Monusco could aggravate the situation, because there would be no more witnesses to the atrocities committed. He believes that the government’s request seems to be a desire to create a space where to massacre with impunity, out of sight. He also recalls that the opposition has itself requested the protection of Monusco for its leaders who are candidates for the presidential election, which demonstrates the importance of its presence.
In conclusion, Together for the Republic is categorically opposed to the hasty departure of MONUSCO from the DRC. According to them, the presence of the UN mission is necessary to ensure the safety of the civilian populations and to bear witness to the human rights violations committed by the regime in place. At a time when the country is going through a delicate political and security period, it is essential that all measures be taken to guarantee the protection of citizens and put an end to impunity.