Title: Strengthening national cohesion for democratic stability during elections
Introduction :
In the DRC, the electoral process is currently underway, and the issues of stability and security are paramount. With this in mind, the MONUSCO Force Commander recently went to Bunia, capital of Ituri province, in order to evaluate the electoral process and to discuss with the military governor of the region, Ltn-Gen Luboya N’kashama. The objective of this meeting was to discuss the pooling of forces in future military operations and to strengthen collaboration with a view to facing the security challenges of the year 2024, which will mark the definitive withdrawal of MONUSCO after more than 20 years of presence in the DRC.
The transfer of experiences, a priority to ensure the safety of the civilian population:
According to General Miranda Filho, Commander of the Monusco Force, this meeting also aimed to share experiences and good practices in security to face the challenges that could arise in 2024. Securing the civilian population is a priority absolute, and it is essential to strengthen collaboration between the Congolese armed forces and MONUSCO in order to guarantee its protection.
The military governor of Ituri, Ltn-Gen Luboya N’kashama, was optimistic about this future collaboration. He stressed that the transition towards the withdrawal of MONUSCO constitutes a major challenge, and that it is crucial to work together to anticipate future operations and ensure the security of the civilian population. He also mentioned the incidents that occurred in Tchabi, where the population attacked the Nepalese contingent of MONUSCO, thus underlining the importance of reinforced security.
Progress of the electoral process in Ituri:
In parallel with this meeting, the electoral process continues in Ituri with calm and stability. The armed forces and police maintain security in areas formerly under the control of armed groups. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) has already started publishing partial results for the Presidency in this province, marking significant progress in the electoral process.
Conclusion :
The meeting between the MONUSCO Force Commander and the military governor of Ituri highlights the importance of strengthening collaboration to ensure security and democratic stability during elections in the DRC. The transfer of experiences and the sharing of good practices are essential to meet future security challenges. While the electoral process takes place calmly in Ituri, it is essential to maintain the security of the civilian population and guarantee democratic and transparent elections.