Value Of Failing To Carry Out Mission, President Tshisekedi Asks For Accelerated Withdrawal Of UN Troops By The End Of This Year

Patrol of UN peacekeeping force MONUSCO in Congo. (Wikimedia Commons/MONUSCO/Clara Padovan)

JAKARTA - Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi called on his government to accelerate the process of withdrawing United Nations peacekeeping troops (UN) starting later this year, while attending the UN General Assembly.

UN forces who are members of the MONUSCO mission took over the previous UN operation in 2010, to help quell turmoil in the eastern region of the country, where armed groups fought for territory and resources.

However, his presence has become increasingly unpopular in recent years as what critics say is a failure to protect civilians from militia groups, sparking deadly protests.

"It is regrettable that the peacekeeping mission, which has been deployed for 25 years, has failed to contain the rebellion and armed conflict," President Tshisekedi said in a speech.

"This is why I instruct the Republican Government to start discussions with UN authorities, to accelerate the withdrawal of MONUSCO by advancing the start of this progressive withdrawal from December 2024 to December 2023," he explained.

More than 40 people were killed and dozens injured in the army crackdown on anti-PBB demonstrations in Goma City last month.

Another protest in July 2022 resulted in more than 15 deaths, including three peacekeepers in Goma and Butembo City.