Amid escalating tensions in the Eastern North Kivu Province, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Jean-Pierre Bemba has affirmed the joint efforts of the United Nations peacekeeping mission (Monusco) and the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) in combatting M23 rebels.
Speaking from Goma, where clashes between FARDC and M23 forces have intensified, Bemba reassured the population of Monusco’s active involvement in ground operations alongside the FARDC. He commended the mission for its steadfast support, dispelling rumors of complicity between Monusco and the M23 rebels.
The assurance follows reports of heightened tension in Sake, a critical area just northwest of Goma, as local residents confronted Monusco peacekeepers purportedly seeking to aid FARDC forces in their fight against the M23.
Sake holds strategic significance as the last defense line before Goma, which fell to the M23 rebels in 2012. Bemba emphasized the government’s commitment to quelling the insurgency and restoring peace in the region, emphasizing the threat posed to the DRC’s integrity.
Despite ongoing clashes and civilian displacement, efforts to counter M23 aggression persist. The “Springbok” operation, launched by Monusco and FARDC in November 2023, aims to repel M23 incursions into Sake and Goma.
Meanwhile, the withdrawal process of Monusco, initiated at the request of Kinshasa due to perceived inefficacy against armed groups, including the M23, is underway. The phased withdrawal plan entails a complete pullout from South Kivu by April 30, 2024, with subsequent withdrawals from North Kivu and Ituri, culminating in Monusco’s departure from the DRC by the end of 2024.
As the DRC grapples with persistent security challenges, the collaborative efforts between Monusco and FARDC underscore the collective determination to confront rebel threats and restore stability in the troubled Eastern provinces.