It is decided that the UN peacekeepers will leave the Democratic Republic of Congo by the end of the year. But how is the security situation developing? New fighting gives rise to fears of the worst.
A UN diplomat has called for security to be strengthened in violence-hit provinces amid increased fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the impending withdrawal of the UN mission (Monusco).
At a meeting with Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, the United Nations Deputy Secretary General for Peacekeeping, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, called for the rapid reinforcement of troops and security forces, a UN statement said.
“It is crucial that the transfer of responsibility for the protection and security of civilians takes place simultaneously with the withdrawal of Monusco from the sensitive areas where peacekeepers ensure the physical safety of hundreds of thousands of civilians,” he stressed. The withdrawal of the UN peacekeepers should be completed by the end of the year, and locations are already being gradually abandoned.
“The situation is worrying”
In North Kivu province, fighters from the M23 militia have increased their attacks in recent weeks, causing thousands of people to flee. The aid organization Doctors Without Borders reported that around 2,500 people had sought refuge in one of the organization’s hospitals in the town of Mweso.
“The situation is worrying,” said project coordinator Çaglar Tahiroglu. The hospital has reached the limits of its capabilities. “We are doing what we can to help everyone, but there is a lack of basic necessities, such as food.”
In addition, the fighting has cut off transport routes for bringing relief supplies from the provincial capital Goma to the affected areas. Fighting is currently taking place mainly in the area of the town of Sake, the last major town on the route from the north of the province to Goma.
Source: Stern
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