DRCongo: the UN chief proposes a gradual and conditional withdrawal of the Monusco force

The force of Monusco peacekeepers could be withdrawn over several years and under conditions from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, proposes the secretary general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, in a report submitted this week to the Security Council.

This document, obtained Wednesday October 28 by AFP, details the terms of this disengagement without however providing a deadline for a total withdrawal.

The UN has been present for more than twenty years in the DRC.

Monusco, with an annual budget of one billion dollars, has around 15,000 peacekeepers.

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Approved on October 19 by the mission and the Congolese government, the report provides for a gradual withdrawal from several regions but with a

in three provinces where insecurity dominates: North and South Kivu (eastern part of the country) and Ituri ( northeast).

(center)

, indicates Antonio Guterres.

In Tanganyika province (south-east),

.

A military withdrawal from these two regions will have to be accompanied by a temporary increase in the police presence of MONUSCO and a strengthening of its civilian component, believes the UN chief.

In Ituri, where violence has increased since January, the UN military presence will have to be maintained at its current level.

A withdrawal will only be possible with a peace process with the armed group

(FRPI), its demilitarization, and progress in the fight against impunity, he said.

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For a general withdrawal of the peacekeepers, several conditions will have to be met: the threat posed by the armed groups will have to be contained by the Congolese security forces and the political process leading to elections in 2023 continue to take place peacefully, Judge Antonio Guterres.

In his document, the UN Secretary General affirms that the government is committed to developing the rule of law with the bringing to justice of the perpetrators of abuses.

He also indicates that Kinshasa has

for armed groups who renounce violence.

In North Kivu,

, also emphasizes Antonio Guterres.

In South Kivu, according to him, a lasting withdrawal of peacekeepers can only be undertaken in view of several factors, including a development of state authority and a reduction in the capacities of armed groups, with a return to their country of origin of foreign fighters.