By Simba Munyua
Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo – The head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has engaged in high-level talks with Rwanda-backed rebels regarding civilian protection in areas under their control in the east. Bintou Keita, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative, stated the rebels expressed a desire for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis that intensified with their capture of the key city of Goma in January.
Keita described her approach to the discussions held in Goma on Friday as one of “listening and exchange,” but offered limited details regarding any specific progress made during the summit. In a brief statement, she characterized the meeting as part of ongoing “joint efforts begun several months ago for the benefit of the population,” emphasizing its timeliness at this critical juncture.
Photos released by the UN depicted Keita’s arrival by helicopter in the eastern warzone and her team seated across from leaders of the Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23 rebel group. While not the first talks since the rebel takeover of Goma, these discussions are significant due to their high-profile nature.
The UN peacekeeping force, known as MONUSCO, has faced criticism earlier this year for its inability to prevent the M23 from seizing significant territory from the Congolese army. In some instances, M23 rebels even attacked MONUSCO peacekeepers.
Since the beginning of the year, the M23 has made considerable advances in the mineral-rich east of the DRC, including the capture of Goma. This escalating conflict has resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians and the loss of thousands of lives. The disruption extends to economic activities, with airports in Goma and Kavumu remaining closed and many civil servants and workers facing unpaid wages.
Against this backdrop of ongoing instability, almost 250 South African soldiers, part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) force deployed to assist the Congolese army, have returned home as the first phase of a planned withdrawal from the eastern warzone. The decision to withdraw follows the deaths of 20 SADC soldiers during a recent M23 advance.
In a separate meeting on Saturday, MONUSCO announced that Keita met with a top SADC commander, affirming mutual appreciation for the “support and solidarity” shown to each other during “these recent, difficult months.” This meeting underscores the collaborative efforts being undertaken to address the complex challenges facing the region.
