Title: The MONUSCO disengagement process in the DRC: Towards strengthened sovereignty and stability
Introduction: On January 13, Bintou Keita, Head of MONUSCO, and Christophe Lutundula, Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a press conference to discuss the MONUSCO disengagement process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) . This announcement follows the adoption by the United Nations Security Council of Resolution 2717, which provides for the withdrawal of MONUSCO from the end of 2023. In this article, we will present the broad outlines of this plan of disengagement and its implications for the DRC.
The disengagement of MONUSCO: a transition towards national sovereignty
Bintou Keita wanted to emphasize that the disengagement of MONUSCO does not imply the disengagement of the United Nations from the DRC. On the contrary, it is a transition of support responsibilities from the United Nations country team to Congolese national institutions. UN agencies are working with national authorities to establish a new cooperation framework covering the period 2025-2029. This process will strengthen the sovereignty of the DRC and ensure continuity in the development actions carried out by the United Nations.
A disengagement in three phases
The disengagement of MONUSCO will take place in three distinct but interconnected phases. The first stage will begin in South Kivu, with a precise timetable established and adopted by the Security Council. According to this timetable, MONUSCO will have to withdraw from South Kivu before April 30, 2024. MONUSCO military bases will be transferred to the Congolese government on this occasion. From May 1, 2024, MONUSCO will focus on the protection of civilians in North Kivu and Ituri, while responsibility for the protection of civilians in South Kivu will be handed over to the DRC. The second stage of disengagement will begin after the assessment of the first stage, and the third stage will lead to the complete withdrawal from Ituri province. By the end of 2024, MONUSCO will have definitively left the DRC after 25 years of presence.
Implications and issues of disengagement
The disengagement of MONUSCO marks an important step towards the strengthened sovereignty and stability of the DRC. It will enable Congolese national institutions to take responsibility for the protection of civilians and fully assume their security responsibilities. However, this process should not be taken lightly. It will require close coordination and collaboration between the United Nations and the Congolese government to ensure a harmonious transition.. In addition, additional efforts will need to be made to strengthen the capacities of national institutions, so that they can effectively assume the responsibilities entrusted to them.
Conclusion: The MONUSCO disengagement process in the DRC marks a crucial step towards the strengthened sovereignty and stability of the country. By gradually withdrawing from the DRC, MONUSCO allows Congolese national institutions to take charge of the protection of civilians and fully exercise their sovereignty. However, this process will require continued coordination and collaboration between the United Nations and the Congolese government to ensure a successful transition. It is now essential to support national institutions and strengthen their capacities in order to consolidate gains and ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for the DRC.