Congo’s foreign minister said that the United Nations peacekeepers are unlikely to
withdraw from Congo’s conflict-torn North Kivu for as long as Rwandan troops remain
in the territory. During an interview, the Congolese foreign minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner said
“The current situation with the presence of Rwandan troops, the aggression by
Rwanda makes it very difficult to envisage such a situation right now.” Wagner also
emphasized that while withdrawal remains a priority, it should only take place when
conditions permit.

In light of the current tensions arising from the presence of Rwandan troops, a reckless
withdrawal could do more harm than good. By delaying the withdrawal, Congo allows
additional time to address unresolved issues and ensure a peaceful transition. This
approach strategically prioritizes waiting for improved conditions before considering a
UN exit, rather than pushing for withdrawal at any cost. Last year, the Congolese government asked the United Nations Organization
Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, known by its French
acronym M.O.N.U.S.C.O., to accelerate its withdrawal after difficult decades of
deployment. DR Congo’s President, Félix Tshisekedi, has expressed his goal of enabling
the country to “take full control of its destiny and become the primary actor in its
stability” by the end of 2024.

By the end of last April, the peacekeeping mission in DRC completed the first phase of
its withdrawal, departing from the South Kivu province. However, the security in the
region is still a cause for concern due to “an overall immobilization of armed actors
amid high regional tensions,” said the M.O.N.U.S.C.O. spokesperson. With Rwandan troops
in the territory, the path to full withdrawal becomes even more complicated and unlikely
to happen soon.

With around 3,000 to 4,000 troops on the ground, Rwanda has been fighting alongside
the rebel group Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) in eastern DRC, according to the latest
report from UN experts. This conflict has already displaced thousands of people in the
eastern border city of Goma, and even though this collaboration with the M23 is not
new to the government, this latest report now indicates that Rwanda has “de facto
control and direction” over the rebels. This brings another level of difficulty for the
withdrawal, as it increases concerns over peace and security in the DR Congo.
As tensions increase in the territory, the unfolding events in the Democratic Republic of
Congo could have far-reaching implications for the future stability of the region.
Considering the Rwandan troops’ presence and their alleged influence and collaboration
with the M23 rebel group, a full withdrawal could be dangerous and could exacerbate
ongoing conflicts. In this way, the careful decision to delay MONUSCO’s full
withdrawal from North Kivu can be classified as a strategic move, which reinforces the
importance of ensuring a peaceful transition.