The United Nations Security Council has called for Rwanda to withdraw its forces from eastern Congo while extending the U.N. peacekeeping mission, known as MONUSCO, for another year. This move comes in response to escalating violence in the region, despite a recent peace agreement facilitated by the United States.
On March 15, 2024, the Security Council unanimously condemned the offensive by the Rwanda-backed rebel group M23, demanding that Rwanda cease its support for the insurgents and pull its troops from Congo. The resolution also renews MONUSCO’s mandate, maintaining approximately 11,500 peacekeepers in the country.
The situation intensified when M23 claimed it had withdrawn from Uvira, a strategic city in eastern Congo, after seizing control the previous week. The Congolese government, however, labeled this withdrawal as “staged,” insisting that the rebels remained present in the city. U.S. Deputy Ambassador Jennifer Locetta emphasized the need for M23 to retreat at least 75 kilometers (approximately 47 miles) from Uvira.
This offensive occurred despite a U.S.-brokered peace agreement signed earlier in March by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents during talks in Washington. Notably, the agreement did not include M23, which is engaged in separate negotiations with the Congolese government. Both sides accuse each other of violating a ceasefire established earlier this year. The accord mandates that Rwanda halt its support for armed groups like M23 and actively work towards ending hostilities.
The conflict in eastern Congo has drawn international attention, with Congo, the United States, and U.N. experts accusing Rwanda of backing M23. Since 2021, the group has expanded from hundreds to approximately 6,500 fighters, according to U.N. estimates.
Over 7 million people have been displaced due to ongoing violence, creating one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, as reported by the U.N. refugee agency. The MONUSCO mission was established in 2010 to protect civilians and assist the Congolese government in stabilizing the region. Despite this, many Congolese citizens express frustration, stating that the U.N. forces have failed to protect them from rebel attacks, leading to protests against MONUSCO that have sometimes turned violent.
In a significant shift earlier in 2023, the U.N. Security Council unanimously agreed to reduce the number of peacekeepers in response to a request from Congo, with plans to gradually transfer security responsibilities to the Congolese government.
As tensions continue to rise, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that will bring lasting peace to the region. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for further escalation unless diplomatic efforts yield substantial results.
