Peacekeepers serving in the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo stand in formation as they pay tribute during the visit of the Security Council of the United Nations in Goma, North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo March 11, 2023.
The renewal means nearly 11 000 peacekeepers will continue their deployment until at least December 2025, remaining a key part of security operations in mineral-rich eastern Congo, where many rebel groups fight over territory and resources. The UN resolution “condemns support by any external party to M23 and any other armed group operating in the DRC, as well as direct unauthorized foreign military intervention in the territory of the DRC, and demands the cessation of such support and the immediate withdrawal of any such party from the DRC.”
“If we don’t call them out for the activities that they’re engaging in this is just going to give them carte blanche to continue to do what they’re doing,” he told reporters late on Thursday. “Their support for the M23 is … unacceptable and the council needs to take a firm stand on this.”