Monusco, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, says it is ready to confront any threat to protect the population of Goma, capital of the North Kivu province. This follows the announcement of the joint operation “Springbok”, intended to guarantee the security of the region.
According to the MONUSCO force commander, Lieutenant General Otávio Rodrigues de Miranda Filho, at least four contingents of Blue Helmets are deployed in defensive positions, equipped with a large military arsenal. They thus support the Congolese army (FARDC) as part of this operation. A visit by the UN army commander made it possible to observe the state of preparation of the troops in one of these defensive positions, near Sake, 30 kilometers from Goma.
Operation “Springbok”, whose name is inspired by an African antelope, is primarily defensive in nature. However, according to the Monusco commander, it could become offensive in the event of an increased threat.
This announcement was made during a joint press conference between MONUSCO and the FARDC. The spokesperson for the military governor of North Kivu welcomed this decision, emphasizing MONUSCO’s support in the face of the M23 threat.
It should be noted that MONUSCO’s mandate is to protect the Congolese populations and to support the armed forces of the DRC in situations where they express the need.
This joint operation therefore aims to ensure the security of the population of Goma and to counter possible attacks by terrorist groups present in the Masisi region.
The determination displayed by MONUSCO and the deployment of troops ready to confront any illegal force reflect the UN mission’s commitment to protecting the vulnerable populations of the DRC and guaranteeing stability in the North Kivu region.
Beyond this operation, it is essential to continue to support efforts aimed at consolidating peace in the DRC, in particular through the strengthening of institutions, economic and social development, and the fight against impunity. The security of the Congolese population must be a priority, and MONUSCO plays an important role in this objective.