As fighting continues in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the province of North Kivu and the M23 rebels gain ground, Denis Mukwege calls on the United Nations (UN) to suspend the withdrawal of the peacekeeping mission in the country. In a letter sent to the Security Council on March 5, the doctor said he was very concerned about the security situation. After 25 years of presence, MONUSCO began its withdrawal in January. This should be completed by the end of the year.
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A “ hasty withdrawal » peacekeepers“ in a context of war (…) risks leaving a security vacuum extremely dangerous for the very existence of the DRC and disastrous for the protection of civilians and stability » of the country, warns Denis Mukwege.
In his open letter, the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner said he was deeply concerned by the escalation of armed violence and its impact on populations. He cites, among other things, “ the recruitment and use of children as soldiers » by armed groups, “ conflict-related sexual violence ” And ” the more than 7 million displaced » by this new peak of violence.
“ It’s okay to think about an exit strategy » of this UN mission after 25 years of presence in the country, he said. But he recalls that to date, none of the “ minimum necessary conditions » for an accelerated withdrawal requested by the Head of State has not been fulfilled. Denis Mukwege therefore calls on the UN to suspend this disengagement begun in January and reconfigure the mandate and presence of this mission, in order to carry out a “ responsible and sustainable withdrawal “.
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