Stabilization of the Eastern DRC: A Police Device to Replace MONUSCO of the DRC: A Police Device to Replace MONUSCO Stabilization of Eastern DRC.

 The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Jacquemain Shabani, and the Ambassador of the States -United Nations, Lucy Tamlyn, recently highlighted the importance of implementing a police force to replace the United Nations Mission for the Stabilization of Congo (MONUSCO) in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This initiative aims to strengthen security in areas where insecurity is endemic. During their discussions on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Jacquemain Shabani and Lucy Tamlyn agreed that the establishment of an effective and reliable police force is essential to meet the security needs of local populations following the withdrawal of MONUSCO. The American ambassador clarified that this measure meets the expectations of the Congolese people, who want security above all. “We talked about the importance of having a police force to replace MONUSCO and we both totally agreed that what the population wants is the presence of security,” she said. declared. This withdrawal of MONUSCO, which began with the closure of its office in Bukavu on June 25, marks the end of the first phase of its disengagement from the country. The UN mission closed or transferred several operational bases to the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) in South Kivu, including the sites of Baraka, Bukavu, Bunyakiri, Kamanyola, Kavumu, Rutemba and Sange. Congolese authorities requested the withdrawal, arguing that the presence of peacekeepers has failed to effectively protect civilians against armed groups over the past 25 years. This feeling is shared by the local population, who have expressed their discontent through demonstrations, sometimes violent, demanding the departure of MONUSCO from North Kivu and Ituri. The withdrawal of MONUSCO symbolizes the end of a 25-year UN presence in the DRC, opening a new chapter for the management of the country's internal security. The transition to a national police system aims to offer a more sustainable solution adapted to the specific security challenges of the region. The Congolese government, with the support of the United States, is therefore committed to setting up this police system to ensure long-term security and stability in the east of the DRC, while respecting the expectations of the population. for lasting peace. The establishment of a national police force to replace MONUSCO is a crucial step towards the stabilization of eastern DRC. This change aims to strengthen security and lasting peace in the region, thus meeting the aspirations of the Congolese population.