Kinshasa, DRC – (African Boulevard News) – The United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, has called on the Congolese government to exercise “responsible” withdrawal from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amid growing violence in the country.
Lacroix made the statement in a briefing on Wednesday, saying that the Congolese state should take charge of the situation and step up its own response to the violence. He also stressed the importance of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, to maintain its support for the government and its people.
“The UN remains committed to supporting the Congolese people and the government of the DRC, but it’s important to work towards a responsible and sustainable withdrawal,” Lacroix said.
The call comes as the DRC faces a security threat in the eastern region of the country, with armed groups carrying out attacks and taking hostages. The situation has forced many Congolese to flee their homes, leading to a humanitarian crisis.
Lacroix expressed concern over the worsening situation, emphasizing that all parties involved must prioritize the protection of civilians.
“The protection of civilians must remain at the heart of our work, and all parties must respect international humanitarian law,” he said.
He also called for more international support for the DRC, saying that the country needs help to address the root causes of the conflict and to facilitate dialogue among the various parties.
Industry experts have hailed Lacroix’s statement as a step in the right direction, but many are urging the UN to do more to address the issue.
“This is a positive development, but it’s not enough. The UN needs to take a more proactive approach to addressing the conflict in the DRC,” said John Mbongo, a political analyst at Kinshasa University.
Mbongo added that the UN should work closely with the Congolese government to develop a comprehensive strategy for addressing the security situation in the country.
As the situation continues to deteriorate in the DRC, it remains to be seen how the government and the UN will respond. However, one thing is clear: the need for a responsible and sustainable withdrawal from the country is more important now than ever before.
