Bconou Keita issued the message in an exclusive interview with UN news Only a few days after informing the Security Council about the situation in the east of the RDC, expressing “compassion and empathy” for the population suffered.
“We know it is very difficult, and it is a daily difficulty,” he said, underlining the “resistance” of the Congolese people “despite all the suffering.”
Diplomatic efforts ongo
For decades, armed groups have affected the East, where large areas are now under the control of the M23 rebel movement.
Mrs. Keita, who also directs the UN Maintenance Mission in the RDC, Monusco, highlighted the diplomatic efforts that are being done, while noting that the gap remains “very wide” to translate them into the field.
“It is already the United Nations, its own government authorities, but also the international community as a whole, all are determined so that we can find peace in the east of the RDC,” he said.
Regarding the so -called Peace Processes of Washington and Doha, he recalled that the foreign ministers of the RDC and Rwanda signed the Washington agreement in the capital of the United States on June 27.
Ruanda supports the M23, which has occupied parts of the provinces of Kivu Norte and South in the east of the RDC since the beginning of the year. The government in Kigali argues that it does not provide military support to the rebel group.
The Declaration of Principles of Doha, which establishes a framework for a high permanent fire, was signed on July 19 by the Congo/M23 river alliance and the Congolese government under mediation by Qatar.
“We are not directly associated as a monusco in these conversations, although the agreement itself mentions Monusco and establishes a role for monusco when there is a stop the fire,” Keita said.
However, the UN mission is preparing to be ready to observe the high fire when it is in place and provide its experience, particularly in terms of direct contact with armed communities and groups, to raise awareness about disarmament, demobilization and reintegration.
On the issue of women’s participation in peace processes, Mrs. Keita recalled that the UN works at the community, provincial, national and regional levels of the RDC. She said the UN is working to train Congoleña women in mediation in a local context so that they can have a voice in peace processes.
Areas under control m23
Meanwhile, Monusco is implementing his mandate to protect civilians in the conflict areas in the east of the RDC and the peace forces of La Paz still deploy in three provinces in the region: North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri.
In areas under M23 control, the mission has bases that “are places of refuge for those who feel in danger,” he said, representing “a direct protection form.”
Mrs. Keita pointed out “another form of protection” for people who hide and who, for several reasons, cannot reach the Monusco bases.
“We have telephone networks that allow us to be in contact with between us and we have the possibility of ensuring that they can be in a refuge situation for direct aid or for indirect help with association networks and NGOs,” he said.
Monusco also monitors and documented human rights violations in areas under M23 control. The rebels captured the capital of northern Kivu, rubber, at the end of January this year and then took control of Bukavu, capital of South Kivu, on February 16.
The Loti Kubuya Mielor midwife helps a newly arrived displaced woman who gave birth in a rubber shelter, Dr. Congo.
Joint operations with the Congolese army in Ituri
In the province of Icuri, where other armed groups are active, Monusco has an “excellent relationship” with the Congolese armed forces, the Fardc, which translates into “a good understanding of our role and mandate” and in joint operations.
He also pointed out the presence of the Uganda Army, the UPDF, which is renamed bilaterally in the province, and welcomed “better labor and coordination relationships.”
In this context, the number of peace patrols has increased in Ituri.
“We have bases that are increasingly mobile,” explained the UN envoy, an answer to the very high mobility of the armed group of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), responsible for most of the murders in the region.
“To respond to their attacks, you must also be very mobile, so the union of efforts between the Congolese army and the UN force and coordination with the UPDF allows us to do what is necessary.”