Briefing ambassadors in New York, Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative for Protection and Operations with the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), said the mission remains committed to fulfilling its mandate despite escalating violence and a highly volatile environment.
Van de Perre said UN peacekeepers would continue the full spectrum of mandated activities in Ituri province, including support for ceasefire monitoring and civilian protection. In North Kivu, blue helmets will maintain protection efforts, while in South Kivu, the mission will focus exclusively on functions related to the ceasefire.
MONUSCO has been deployed in the DRC since 2010, succeeding an earlier peacekeeping mission that began as the country descended into conflict following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Its key objectives include protecting civilians and supporting stabilisation efforts.
Van de Perre described the situation on the ground as “alarming”, with renewed hostilities between Government-backed forces and the rebel groups AFC and M23 spreading across North and South Kivu. This comes despite the M23 militia’s withdrawal from Uvira in January.
Fighting has now pushed towards the border with Burundi, heightening concerns of a broader regional confrontation. Van de Perre said recent clashes have been marked by increased use of offensive drones and interference with GPS signals, complicating humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.
In Ituri province, armed group attacks continue to cause civilian casualties, displacement and destruction of infrastructure. Meanwhile, the ADF has resumed operations in Mambasa territory, expanding beyond its traditional areas of activity.
Despite deteriorating security conditions, Van de Perre said political efforts to stabilise the region are ongoing. She welcomed renewed commitments by DRC and Rwanda following their March 17–18 meeting in Washington to advance the Washington Accords and reduce tensions.
She also noted progress through the Doha process and African Union-led initiatives, which have helped define a ceasefire framework.
A joint exploratory mission to Uvira found that deployment remains impossible without clear security guarantees and freedom of movement. Van de Perre urged the Council to use its influence to ensure the reopening of Goma and Kavumu airports and the resumption of flights.
“I encourage all political and civil society actors to find common ground on the scope, objectives and modalities of the national dialogue,” she said.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
