The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo will pause its withdrawal, with no timeline set for the next phase. This decision comes after the initial phase of the withdrawal was completed in June.
Last September, President Felix Tshisekedi called for a rapid withdrawal of peacekeepers deployed to quell insecurity caused by armed groups fighting over territory and resources. The first phase of the withdrawal, in South Kivu province, was completed on June 25, as scheduled. However, the next phase has been put on hold due to an escalation of clashes in the eastern part of the country.
Congo’s ambassador to the United Nations, Zenon Mukongo Ngay, blamed neighboring Rwanda for the increased violence, stating that conditions for the next phase of the withdrawal are not yet met. He attributed this to Rwanda’s continued aggression in North Kivu.
“In view of Rwanda’s continued aggression in North Kivu, the next phase of withdrawal, phase 2, will be undertaken when conditions allow, following ongoing joint assessments,” Ngay said in a speech at the U.N. Security Council.
Congo and the United Nations have consistently accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group, allegations that Kigali has denied.
Bintou Keita, head of the U.N. mission, confirmed that there is “no timeline” for a withdrawal from North Kivu or Ituri provinces.
“Don’t ask me what’s next,” Keita told reporters at the United Nations in New York. “What’s next, as we said, (is) we pause, we prepare, and we see what comes next based on the reality on the ground.”
Congo’s foreign minister Therese Wamba Wagner emphasized the government’s desire to avoid creating a security vacuum.
“When it comes to North Kivu, we will take into account the developments that we see on the ground before making responsible decisions and starting this process when the most favorable conditions are met,” she told reporters in Kinshasa.
