Civil society calls for reform in UN mission in DR Congo

The UN peace-keeping mission in DR Congo, Monusco, will not achieve the desired peace and stability in the war-torn country unless drastic reforms are made within the organ, the Chairperson of the Rwanda Civil Society Platform (RCSP), Edouard Munyamaliza, has said. On June 10, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Martin Kobler as his Special Representative for the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in DR Congo (Monusco), to replace Roger Meece, of the US. Previously, Kobler, a German diplomat, was the UN envoy in Iraq and his predecessor left DR Congo on Wednesday last week. “Monusco has always been ineffective and inefficient in building or keeping peace in DR Congo because their troops are in the region for the wrong reasons. Reports of exchanging arms for minerals with rebel groups, conniving with or watching as militias commit crimes against Congolese citizens, and yet we hear this is the most expensive UN Mission,” said Munyamariza. “Monusco needs disciplined military personnel with strong leadership which is protective of human lives and dignity.” On March 28, the Security Council decided by Resolution 2098 that Monusco shall, for an initial period of a year and within the authorised troop ceiling of 19,815, include an “Intervention Brigade”.

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Civil society calls for reform in UN mission in DR Congo