UN Renews DR Congo Peacekeeping Mission as M23 Fighting Grows

The United Nations Security Council has voted to extend the mandate of its peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, renewing the presence of MONUSCO until 20 December 2026 as violence escalates in the country’s eastern regions.

Under Resolution 2808 (2025), the Council maintained MONUSCO’s current force levels, authorizing up to 11,500 military personnel, 600 military observers and staff officers, 443 police officers, and 1,270 members of formed police units. The mission’s primary focus will remain in North Kivu and Ituri, while deployments to South Kivu for ceasefire monitoring will depend on security conditions and advance notification to the Council, according to UN deliberations.

The resolution also extends, on an exceptional basis, the mandate of MONUSCO’s Force Intervention Brigade. Created in 2013, the brigade has a more robust mandate than traditional UN peacekeeping forces and is tasked with neutralizing armed groups. Its continued authorization reflects concern within the Council over the deteriorating security environment in eastern Congo.

The renewal comes as the Security Council warns of a rapidly worsening humanitarian and security crisis, driven largely by renewed offensives by the M23 armed group in North Kivu and South Kivu. Council members cited reports indicating that the group’s operations are supported by the Rwanda Defence Forces, an allegation Kigali has repeatedly denied. The resolution strongly condemned the recent capture of Uvira, a strategic city on Lake Tanganyika, cautioning that the advance poses risks to regional stability.

Member states expressed differing emphases during deliberations. France, which served as the penholder on the resolution, underscored the urgency of the situation and urged all parties to commit to a sustainable peace process in eastern Congo and the wider Great Lakes region.

The United States stressed that M23, with backing from the Rwanda Defence Forces, must meet its obligations under the Doha framework, including withdrawing at least 75 kilometers from Uvira. Washington said compliance with these commitments is critical to preventing further escalation.

China and Russia supported the mandate renewal but cautioned against politicizing MONUSCO’s work. Both countries emphasized the need to preserve the mission’s neutrality, independence, and authority. China reiterated its backing for the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, calling on external actors to respect regional peace initiatives.

Russia urged the UN Secretariat to submit detailed proposals by March 2026 outlining MONUSCO’s role in ceasefire monitoring, and called on all parties to adhere strictly to Security Council resolutions aimed at protecting civilians and stabilizing the region.

Source: United Nations Security Council