The United Nations Security Council has given the green light for the UN’s peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), MONUSCO, to assist logistically in the upcoming national elections. This decision, detailed in a letter AFP obtained, aligns with the DRC’s preparation for next week’s general elections, which present significant logistical and security challenges.
Despite its rich mineral reserves, the DRC ranks among the poorest nations globally. In response to the logistical hurdles of the impending Wednesday polls, the Kinshasa government has sought MONUSCO’s help to transport electoral materials. This move parallels talks about the mission’s eventual exit from the DRC.
For nearly 20 years, MONUSCO has operated mainly in three conflict-stricken eastern provinces of the DRC. Its mandate includes supporting logistics for elections, even as it faces a government-mandated exit. “The Security Council members intend to tell the Secretary-General that MONUSCO can provide limited logistical support for the 2023 electoral process wherever the Congolese authorities request it,” the Security Council president’s letter stated. This support will draw from MONUSCO’s existing resources, ensuring it can still meet its other mandated duties.
In Eastern Congo, armed groups, remnants of regional wars from the 1990s and 2000s, pose significant security threats. The M23 group has recently captured extensive territories in the region, further complicating the organization of a peaceful election.
According to a report by The Guardian, Kinshasa has been vocal in demanding MONUSCO’s exit, criticizing its effectiveness in stopping the conflicts. The Security Council plans to vote on a withdrawal strategy developed by both the DRC government and the UN mission next week.
Organizing elections for presidential, national, provincial, and local legislative positions in a vast country like the DRC, which spans 2.3 million square kilometres (870,000 square miles) with sparse infrastructure, is a daunting challenge. Among the 22 presidential hopefuls is the incumbent, Felix Tshisekedi, aiming for a second term.
