Don’t hold your breath for the United Nations to pull out its peacekeepers from Congo’s North Kivu anytime soon. The Congolese Foreign Minister made it clear on Saturday that the planned withdrawal is a no-go as long as Rwandan troops are loitering in the region.
Why It Matters
North Kivu, a region embroiled in chaos thanks to the two-year insurgency by the Rwanda-backed M23 militia, has seen more than a million people uprooted from their homes. A recent U.N. report revealed that 3,000-4,000 Rwandan troops are not only fighting the Congolese army but have also hijacked M23 operations.
Rwanda, of course, has repeatedly denied these accusations, shrugging off claims from Congo and Western powers that it props up M23 with soldiers and weapons. Yet, here we are.
On Tuesday, Congo’s government stated the obvious: the U.N. mission can’t pack up and leave the province because the conditions are far from ideal. Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner stressed that while the withdrawal is a priority, it must happen in an orderly manner when the situation permits.
What They Are saying
“The current mess with Rwandan troops and Rwanda’s aggression makes it hard to even think about the U.N. leaving right now,” Wagner told Reuters in an interview. “We’re monitoring the situation to figure out the best time to start the process.”
Bintou Keita, head of the U.N. mission known as MONUSCO, admitted there’s no set timeline for the exit, despite Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi’s request last September. Peacekeepers completed their departure from South Kivu province in June, marking the first phase of this operation.
With about 10,800 troops, MONUSCO’s full withdrawal will significantly alter security dynamics in Congo’s mineral-rich east, where various armed groups vie for control and resources.
Wagner proudly pointed out that Congo’s efforts to spotlight Rwanda’s involvement in the M23 conflict are gaining traction internationally. She expressed hope that these revelations would lead to targeted sanctions against Rwanda.
“Our audiences are finally waking up to the reality that Rwanda may play peacekeeper in some places but is a warmonger in the Great Lakes region,” she said. Wagner emphasized that international pressure should focus on holding decision-makers accountable, not just pointing fingers at individuals.
Meanwhile, the fighting in North Kivu has driven over 1.7 million people from their homes, pushing the total number of displaced Congolese due to various conflicts to a staggering 7.2 million, according to U.N. estimates.
Bottom Line
So, while Rwanda denies and Congo cries foul, the people of North Kivu remain caught in the crossfire, and any hopes for U.N. peacekeepers to exit the stage are, for now, just wishful thinking.
