WHAT ARE UN PEACEKEEPERS AND OTHER FORCES DOING?
UN peacekeepers in North Kivu have been supporting the Congolese military’s efforts to curb the M23 as a part of the United Nations Group Stabilization Mission within the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (MONUSCO) years-old mandate to counter the various insurgent teams lively in jap Congo.
An agreed withdrawal of the mission from Congo was paused final yr due to the deteriorating safety scenario. As of December, there have been practically 11,000 peacekeepers on the bottom, largely within the east.
For the reason that fall of Goma, the mission has evacuated a few of its employees and households. Its base has acquired a lot of individuals searching for refuge, together with authorities and military officers and varied components together with the pro-government Wazalendo militia fighters who’ve surrendered their arms.
The 16-member Southern African Growth Neighborhood (SADC), which prolonged its navy mission in Congo late final yr to assist the Congolese military battle the rebels, stays in place, however has suffered losses because the begin of 2025.
Non-public navy contractors who had been employed by the Congolese authorities to assist in the battle towards M23 and to coach troops have additionally surrendered.
Burundian troops have been serving to Congo battle the M23. Burundi’s authorities has despatched hundreds of troopers, who are actually concentrated in South Kivu. They had been among the many forces defending the Kavumu airport earlier than it fell.
