Collective efforts are needed to put the Democratic Republic of Congo on a solid path of peace
“We need to continue our collective engagement in supporting the country on its path towards peace and stability,” said Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the DRC and head of the United Nations Mission there, MONUSCO.
‘Framework’ for ceasefire and dialogue
Fighting between warring parties in the volatile east has decreased significantly since the July 30 ceasefire – announced by the DRC and Rwanda in a meeting facilitated by Angola – “But peace has not yet been won”she said.
“However, today there is one positive framework for dialogue between DRC and Rwanda invest in proactive mediation, spare no effort to resolve this conflict, an operational tool that supports this reconciliation and the real prospects of peace are now possible,” she added.
Ms. Keita told the ambassadors that the DRC has recently made incremental progress in political and institutional reforms but difficult challenges remain.
Exploitation of natural resources
The past few months have seen competition in the exploitation and trade of natural resources, which has further exacerbated the conflict dynamics in the east.
She said the recent increase in violence in Ituri province was mainly due to efforts by armed groups to control mining areas.
“As profits increased with the expansion of semi-mechanized gold mining, Armed groups have become militarized entrepreneurs,” she continued.
“As a result, community leaders and depleted Government forces are struggling to contain armed groups, which have become stronger both militarily and financially.”
Profits in the thousands
Additionally, the M23 military group’s consolidation of administrative control over the Masisi and Rutshuru territories in neighboring North Kivu province allowed it to establish full control over coltan production. Metal ores are used in the production of mobile phones and electronic devices.
Trade from the Rubaya region, which is estimated to supply more than 15% of global production of the metal tantalum, generates about $300,000 per month for the group. She believes this is very worrying and must stop.
“Female Criminal activity laundering DRC’s natural resources smuggled out of the country is strengthening armed groupsperpetuates the exploitation of civilians, some of whom are reduced to de facto slavery, and undermines peacemaking efforts,” Ms. Keita said.
She warned that “unless international sanctions are imposed on those who benefit from this criminal trade, peace will remain elusive and civilians will continue to suffer.”
ADF Strike Group
Meanwhile, eliminating the threat posed by the Allied Defense Forces (ADF) armed group in North Kivu and Ituri “has proven elusive.”
The ADF has stepped up attacks in recent months, exploiting the vacuum left by the redeployment of Congolese armed forces against the M23. In June, 272 civilians were killed, perhaps the deadliest month ever for the group whose “neutralization remains the Mission’s top priority.”
Ms Keita told the Council that since January, some 2.4 million people have been displaced. Many people are taking shelter in overcrowded places, where they are vulnerable to diseases such as cholera, measles and a new threat, mpox. DRC is the epicenter of the current epidemic on the continent.
Political tensions are also rising in the DRC, with opposition parties expressing concerns about restrictions on political freedoms, arbitrary arrests and shrinking democratic space.
Other important issues include the “epidemic” of sexual and gender-based violence affecting the country. Humanitarian partners treated more than 61,000 victims in the first half of this year – a 10% increase over the same period in 2023.
Support peace efforts
Ms. Keita said the risks and opportunities she highlighted require national, regional and international mobilization to support the people of DRC.
“First and foremost, we must support peace efforts wherever there is conflict,” she continued.
“The reconciliation process carried out by Angola remains the best chance to reduce tensions between Rwanda and DRC, but peace cannot be built only in Luanda. It also requires investment in provinces, territories, chiefdoms and villages.”
She pointed to the United Nations’ efforts in this regard. For example, after MONUSCO left South Kivu in June, the United Nations helped establish mechanisms to protect unarmed civilians.
Consolidate interests and protect civilians
The delegation is also collaborating with domestic and international NGOs and religious organizations to consolidate the achievements of many years of investment in communities, women, youth and local organizations. direction.
Peacekeepers are also continuing to protect civilians in Ituri. Together with the Congolese army, the FARDC, they have established a joint operations and coordination center in the provincial capital Bunia and response times to alerts have been reduced.
In North Kivu, MONUSCO continues to participate in maintaining the defense zone around the cities of Goma and Sake, and provides guarantees to protect civilians by maintaining bases in several locations, including including areas controlled by M23.
Methods of dissolution
Recalling that MONUSCO ended its operations in South Kivu in June, Ms. Keita said that at the request of the authorities, the Mission is currently engaged in an assessment process “to ensure that we consolidate our exit and that we plan for the way forward after the exit.”
It is estimated that the DRC will need $57 million to be able to take over the Mission in the province and the government has pledged about $30 million in a show of good faith.
MONUSCO and the Government are working to determine the means of implementing the next steps for the Mission’s withdrawal, which will be accelerated in the coming weeks.
“MONUSCO will leave, but until the last day, we will continue to protect civilians, support meaningful peace initiatives, facilitate the delivery of assistance,” she said. humanitarian and support the State of Congo in its stabilization efforts.”
