Bintou Keita published the message in an exclusive interview with UN News Only a few days after informing the Security advice On the situation in eastern DRC, expressing “compassion and empathy” for the population that has been suffering for a long time.
“We know that it is very difficult, and it is a daily difficulty,” she said, emphasizing the “resilience” of the Congolese people “despite all the sufferings”.
Current diplomatic efforts
For decades, armed groups have tormented the east, where large areas are now under the control of the M23 rebellious movement.
Ms. Keita, who also directs the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the DRC, Monuscohas highlighted the diplomatic efforts that are made, while noting that the gap is still “very wide” to translate them on the ground.
“Whether it is the United Nations, its own government authorities, but also the international community as a whole, all are determined so that we can find peace in the east of the DRC,” she said.
Regarding the so-called Washington and Doha peace process, she recalled that the DRC and Rwanda Foreign Ministers had signed the Washington agreement in the American capital on June 27.
Rwanda supports the M23, which has occupied parts of the provinces of northern and southern Kivu in the east of the DRC since the beginning of the year. Kigali’s government argues that it does not provide military support for the rebel group.
The Declaration of Doha Principles, establishing a framework for a permanent ceasefire, was signed on July 19 by the Congo River / M23 Alliance and the Congolese government under mediation by Qatar.
“We are not directly associated as Monusco in these conversations, although the agreement itself mentions Monusco and provides for a role for Monusco in the event of a ceasefire,” noted Ms. Keita.
However, the United Nations mission is preparing to be ready to observe the ceasefire when it is in place and to provide its expertise, in particular in terms of direct contact with communities and armed groups, to raise awareness among disarmament, demobilization and reintegration.
On the question of women’s participation in peace processes, Ms. Keita recalled that the UN worked at the levels of the community, of the provinces, national and regional in the DRC. She said that the UN is working to train Congolese women in mediation in a local context so that they can have a voice in the peace processes.
M23 control areas
Meanwhile, Monusco implements his mandate to protect civilians in conflict zones in eastern DRC and peacekeepers are still deployed in three provinces in the region: North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri.
In areas under M23 control, the mission has bases which “are places of refuge for those who feel in danger,” she said, representing “a form of direct protection”.
Ms. Keita underlined “another form of protection” for people who are hiding and who, for various reasons, cannot reach the basics of Monusco.
“We have telephone networks that allow us to be in contact with each other and we have the possibilities of ensuring that they can find themselves in a safe situation either by direct aid or by indirect aid with networks of associations and NGOs,” she said.
Monusco also monitors and documents human rights violations in areas under M23 control. The rebels captured the capital of northern Kivu, Goma, at the end of January this year, then took control of Bukavu, capital of South Kivu, on February 16.
The Loti Kubuya Money Loti Honey assists a recently moved woman who gave birth in a refuge in Goma, Dr. Congo.
Joint operations with the Congolese army in Ituri
In the province of Ituri, where other armed groups are active, Monusco has an “excellent relationship” with the Congolese armed forces, the FARDC, which results in “a good understanding of our role and our mandate” and in joint operations.
She also noted the presence of the Ugandan army, the UPDF, which is bilaterally deployed in the province, and praised the “best labor and coordination relations”.
In this context, the number of peace patrols has increased in Ituri.
“We have increasingly mobile bases,” said the UN envoy – an answer to the great mobility of the Armed Group of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), responsible for most murders in the region.
“To respond to their attacks, you must also be very mobile, and therefore the junction of efforts between the Congolese army and the United Nations strength and coordination with the UPDF allow us to do what is necessary.”
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
