The United Nations Security Council has voted to extend the mandate of its peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), known as MONUSCO, until December 2025.
This decision delays the previously planned withdrawal from the conflict-ridden eastern provinces, reflecting ongoing instability in the region.
Despite earlier calls by the Congolese government for MONUSCO to leave, a recent note from Congo’s UN mission titled “Vision for MONUSCO Withdrawal and the Renewal of Its Mandate” signaled support for the extension.
The document emphasized Kinshasa’s preference for a “robust posture” by MONUSCO forces to address escalating insecurity.
The extension secures the presence of nearly 11,000 peacekeepers in the mineral-rich eastern provinces, where violence driven by territorial and resource disputes continues to threaten stability. A planned withdrawal from North Kivu and Ituri provinces, originally set for 2023, was suspended in July due to worsening security conditions.
The Congolese government has attributed much of the unrest to the alleged involvement of Rwandan troops supporting the M23 rebel group—a claim Rwanda firmly denies. In response, a UN resolution accompanying the mandate condemned external support for armed groups and called for the immediate withdrawal of unauthorized foreign forces from Congolese territory.
However, tensions emerged within the Security Council, with the United States expressing frustration over the reluctance of some members to explicitly name Rwanda for its alleged role in supporting the rebels.
President Felix Tshisekedi has previously voiced dissatisfaction with MONUSCO’s effectiveness, citing public anger over its perceived failure to protect civilians from militia violence. Protests across eastern DRC have underscored this frustration, increasing pressure on both the UN and the Congolese government.
While MONUSCO’s extended stay remains a point of contention, Kinshasa has emphasized the importance of an orderly and strategic withdrawal, prioritizing the mission’s focus on the most volatile regions. Discussions on MONUSCO’s eventual exit strategy are expected to continue in the coming months.
