Latest news with #MONUSCO
Zawya
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Despite efforts towards a political solution, violence still rages in the east
As the Foreign Ministers of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) signed a draft peace agreement in Washington this Friday, tensions and violence continue to grip eastern DRC. Since January, the region has seen a new escalation of violence as the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group launched an offensive in North and South Kivu provinces. While tensions persist in the DRC, both frontlines and negotiation positions are shifting, paving the way for peace, the Security Council heard this Friday. The path to lasting peace in the DRC requires 'collective action,' said Bintou Keita, Head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, MONUSCO. 'Priority must be given to dialogue over division, and national cohesion must be actively preserved,' she said. Yet, while diplomatic efforts focus on ways to address the current crisis, the situation in other regions within MONUSCO 's area of operations also demands urgent attention. Humanitarian situation With seven million people currently displaced across the country, 27.8 million people facing food insecurity and almost 1.4 million children in acute malnutrition, the humanitarian situation is dire. The security crisis in the east of the country has worsened the humanitarian situation, yet due to funding cuts, MONUSCO does not have sufficient means to respond to it accordingly. The suspension of funding from MONUSCO's main donor, which covered 70 per cent of the humanitarian response in 2024, is 'forcing humanitarian actors to focus solely on life-saving emergencies,' said Ms. Keita. 'We are at the end of July, and the humanitarian response plan is only 11 per cent funded,' she added. Insecurity, sexual violence and abductions Violence in the east of the country continues to disproportionately affect women, boys, and girls, notably as rape and other forms of sexual violence are still being systematically used as weapons of war. Men and boys accused of links with opposing forces are at risk of abduction, while women and girls who have survived sexual violence face severely limited access to healthcare, as healthcare facilities are often targeted by attacks. In 2025, over 290 schools were destroyed, with ongoing cycles of violence keeping 1.3 million children out of the education system in Ituri, in the east of the country. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
Associated Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Militiamen attack a camp for the displaced and kill 11 in northeastern Congo
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Militiamen killed 11 people during an attack on Friday on a camp for the displaced in Congo's northeastern Ituri province, a U.N. spokesperson and a local civil society representative said. Violence has surged across eastern Congo, where conflict has raged for decades. More than 120 armed groups are fighting in the region, most of them battling for land and control of mines with valuable minerals, while some are trying to protect their communities. Rebels from the Cooperative for the Diversion of Congo, or CODECO, attacked the village of Djangi, in the Djugu territory, early in the morning, Jean-Tobie Okala, spokesperson for the U.N. peacekeeping mission known as MONUSCO, told The Associated Press. Among the victims were eight children and three women, he said and added that the MONUSCO forces were eventually able to repel the attack. Charité Banza, the head of civil society in the area, confirmed the death and said 12 people were also injured in the attack. 'We demand that justice be served in favor of the victims, that their rights be restored, and that the responsibility of each person involved in this massacre be established,' Banza said. CODECO is a loose association of militia groups mainly from the ethnic Lendu farming community. The group's attacks killed nearly 1,800 people and wounded more than 500 in the four years from 2019 to the end of 2022, according to the African Center for the Study and Research on Terrorism. The United Nations has said some of the attacks could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. In February, CODECO fighters killed at least 55 civilians in Djugu, the same territory that was attacked on Friday.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Women unite their voices to call for peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
In Kinshasa, women from across the country are raising their voices to demand an end to the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC. Their plea took the form of a detailed advocacy note, officially submitted to Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner. The document is the result of a collective effort by women's associations and human rights groups. Drafted after nine consultation sessions held between February and April 2025, with support from MONUSCO, UN Women, and other UN agencies, the note outlines the critical challenges facing women and communities in conflict zones and offers concrete, realistic proposals for restoring peace. " Children suffer with no future. Women are raped without justice. We just want life to be normal again. Let this note be heard, and acted upon." declared Julienne Lusenge, who presented the document. Well known for her work defending women's rights and fighting sexual violence, Ms. Lusenge continues to champion peace and equality through her organization Solidarité Féminine pour la Paix et le Développement Intégral. She was accompanied by activists from Kinshasa, Goma, Bunia, Beni, and Bukavu, all united in their call for peace. A Strong Call to Action Minister Wagner expressed deep understanding and support for the initiative. "Armed conflict, forced displacement, and sexual violence as a weapon of war are serious violations of human dignity and major barriers to development. When women call for peace, their voices must be heard with respect and urgency," she said. She emphasized the importance of the note, describing it as ' a timely call to action, responsibility, and solidarity, national and international alike. The Ministry will continue to carry this message to regional, continental, and global platforms. ' UN Women and other institutional representatives also praised the initiative. Speaking on behalf of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mireille Laurier, Chief of MONUSCO's Gender Section, applauded the determination of Congolese women: " I salute the exceptional courage of these women who, despite adversity, continue their fight for a better future. Their strength deserves full recognition and support." Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l'Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).
Zawya
3 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
In Ituri, authorities and armed groups seek to reinforce the 2023 peace accord
In Aru, a new round of peace talks is building on earlier efforts to bring stability to Ituri province. The dialogue, known as 'Aru 2', brings together authorities, armed groups, local leaders, and civil society to reinforce the process launched in 2023. That previous initiative, supported by MONUSCO, led to the signing of a peace protocol by several armed groups including CODECO, ZAIRE, FRPI, FPIC, TCHINI YA TUNA, and MAPI pledged to cease hostilities and work towards peace, security and cohesion in the province. Their commitment to end hostilities resulted in tangible gains: displaced families returned home, local markets reopened, and roads such as the Nizi-Mongbwalu route became passable again. This new round of discussions aims to safeguard and expand those gains . At Aru, the participants now intend to build on these achievements. For five days, they will review the commitments made in 2023. " Aru 1 was half a success. Not all commitments were met, but progress was made," says Firmin Kone Massagnou of MONUSCO's Civil Affairs section. Renewed Expectations Over the course of five days, participants are reviewing past commitments and negotiating a new ceasefire. " We must also restart socio-economic activities to support the lasting return of displaced communities." said Massagnou. Civil society representative Jean-Marie Ezadri urged local leaders to encourage fighters to disarm and join the national reintegration programme (PDDRC-S). Sarah Muderwa, from Synergie des jeunes filles de l'Ituri, said she hoped this renewed engagement would help stop sexual violence. Another priority is the return of traditional and administrative authorities to their communities, seen as essential for restoring local governance. At the launch of the talks, General Antoine David Mushimba, commander of the 32nd military region, appealed to armed youth to embrace peace. MONUSCO reiterated its commitment to supporting this process alongside national institutions, in line with its mandate to protect civilians. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l'Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).
Zawya
5 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Kinshasa: Youth Commit to Peace and the Fight Against Disinformation
Around one hundred young people, including thirty-seven women from Kinshasa's four districts, took part on 14 June in a series of activities aimed at promoting peace, security, and tackling disinformation. The initiative was supported by MONUSCO's Civil Affairs Section, in partnership with the National Technical Secretariat for Resolution 2250 and civil society. This gathering marked the conclusion of a process launched in 2022 to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2250, which recognizes the essential contribution of youth to peacebuilding. ' This initiative followed a call from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Bintou Keita, who encouraged all MONUSCO sections to intensify efforts around Resolution 2250. ' explained Phil Wani, Civil Affairs Officer. Discussions focused on the link between economic empowerment and peace. Job creation was highlighted as key to preventing youth from joining armed groups. ' We introduced a coaching component to provide participants with practical skills to develop sustainable projects, some of the proposals are already ready for funding. ' Wani added. The National Technical Secretariat emphasized the importance of proximity-based and inclusive approaches. ' Beyond technical guidance, we ensured coordination, the aim is to enable genuine and inclusive youth participation in the resolution's implementation. ' said Anna Jacquie, national coordinator. Participants expressed appreciation for being heard on an issue where youth perspectives are often overlooked. ' As a young person, I felt heard, there's support and follow-up, which motivates me, too often, youth are unfairly associated with misconduct. ' shared Acacia. Artists were also inspired. ' We were shown how to verify online information, it made me want to launch awareness projects in my community. ' said musician and writer Antonio Lufyaulusu. This initiative reflects MONUSCO's commitment to strengthening the role of young people in peace efforts in the DRC by highlighting their ideas and encouraging long-term engagement. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l'Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).
