United Nations wants 'security guarantees' to monitor DR Congo ceasefire
## Security Guarantees Sought for UN Operations in Eastern DRC
Security Guarantees Sought for UN Operations in Eastern DRC
The United Nations has requested security assurances from conflicting parties in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to facilitate the use of a critical airport for overseeing a proposed ceasefire. According to UN Deputy Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the organization will not deploy helicopters with personnel under current threats, such as signal interference and drone proximity.
The Congolese military has engaged with armed factions in the mineral-rich region for several decades. The conflict intensified significantly last year when Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized Goma, which hosts the nearest UN peacekeeping base. The international airport in Goma has been closed since the takeover of the city.
A peace agreement brokered by the United States was signed by Kinshasa and Kigali in December; however, hostilities persist. This agreement outlines the role of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) in monitoring conditions for the implementation of a lasting ceasefire.
The United Nations has requested security assurances from conflicting parties in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to facilitate the use of a critical airport for overseeing a proposed ceasefire.
Lacroix noted that the region has not yet reached an effective ceasefire. The UN mission is anticipated to commence deployment in the upcoming weeks from Uvira, near the Burundi border. Although the M23 rebels withdrew from Uvira under U.S. pressure, they remain in proximity, and the Congolese government is restoring its presence.
The initial phase of the mission will involve aerial reconnaissance, followed by a limited personnel deployment in Uvira, with the possibility of expanding the presence as needed. Reconnaissance helicopters will likely require operational access to Goma airport, contingent upon receiving security guarantees from involved parties.
Aid agencies active in the region have also advocated for the reopening of Goma airport. Currently, approximately 8,000 UN peacekeepers are stationed in eastern DRC, with contributions from Kenya, Pakistan, South America, Tanzania, and other regions.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
