A U-Turn

A few months ago, it was announced that the United Nations peacekeeping mission known as MONUSCO will depart the Democratic Republic of Congo.  The UN peacekeeping mission which has helped in the fight against rebels for more than two decades, will completely withdraw from the country by the end of 2024. During a news conference in the Congolese capital Kinshasa, the then Congolese Foreign Minister, Christophe Lutundula told reporters that the first phase of the withdrawal of about 2,000 UN troops will leave the restive eastern areas by the end of April 2024. 
Three months after, the decision that left many Congolese divided is being put to question by the same authorities. More than twice within a month, the country’s new Foreign Minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner has made a U-turn. “The UN peacekeeping mission in the country is unlikely to leave while Rwandan troops remain present on the ground supporting an insurgency by the M23 armed group”. What is surprising, is not the decision asking MONUSCO peacekeepers to stay, but the fact that the authorities know quite well that the present Congolese military force can’t stand the numerous armed groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and M23, that are active in the eastern areas such as North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri Provinces.  
The decision by the Congolese authorities raises so many questions. One of such; was the call for the departure of MONUSCO peacekeepers mission from the country by the Congole...