Following a series of repeated requests, the Security Council finally decided to undertake the gradual withdrawal of the United Nations peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. President Félix Tshisekedi and the Congolese government had repeatedly expressed their wish to see MONUSCO gradually leave the country. This decision, taken at a meeting on Monday October 16, follows a joint statement encouraging the implementation of a plan for “gradual and orderly disengagement”.
The objective of this withdrawal is to reduce tensions between the local population and MONUSCO. By encouraging dialogue between Congo and Rwanda for peace and condemning any support for the M23 armed group, the Security Council hopes to contribute to stability and security in the region. In addition, he supports the holding of elections in 2023, another key element in the democratic transition process in the DRC.
It is difficult to determine whether the recent forced withdrawals of UN peacekeeping forces in Mali, Sudan and Niger influenced this decision or whether the case of peacekeepers involved in a prostitution system near their base had an impact. Whatever the reason, the Congolese ambassador welcomed this position and hopes that it will ease tensions between the local population and MONUSCO.
This gradual withdrawal of MONUSCO in the DRC raises many questions and raises important issues for the future of the region. It is crucial to closely monitor developments and remain attentive to the consequences this could have on security and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo.