In a unanimous decision, the United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) for an additional year. This decision comes amid growing concerns over the ongoing offensive by the 23 March Movement (M23) in North Kivu and the unauthorized presence of external forces in the eastern part of the country.
Security Council Resolution
The Security Council adopted resolution 2765 (2024), which extends MONUSCO’s mandate until 20 December 2025. The Council’s decision includes the continuation of the Force Intervention Brigade on an exceptional basis, without setting a precedent for peacekeeping principles. MONUSCO’s authorized troop ceiling will now comprise 11,500 military personnel, 600 military observers and staff officers, 443 police personnel, and 1,270 personnel from formed police units.
Key Strategic Priorities
The extended mandate retains MONUSCO’s key strategic priorities, which include: Protecting civilians, Supporting the stabilization and strengthening of State institutions, and Implementing key governance and security reforms.
The resolution authorizes MONUSCO to use “all means at its disposal” to promptly and effectively prevent armed groups’ attacks against civilians.
The Security Council has also requested the Secretary-General to provide quarterly reports on MONUSCO’s progress towards its gradual, responsible, and sustainable withdrawal. These reports will include evaluations of the Mission’s performance, operational assessments, and recommendations.
Additionally, the text calls for a tailored approach to MONUSCO’s withdrawal strategy, taking into account evolving conflict dynamics and protection risks in hotspot areas, specifically in North Kivu and Ituri Provinces. This strategy is to be shared with the Council by 31 March 2025.
Sierra Leone’s representative, a co-penholder of the draft, emphasized that the adoption of this resolution could significantly alter the trajectory of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo towards a peaceful conflict resolution. He expressed support for Kinshasa’s efforts to protect civilians and stabilize State institutions, while also highlighting the need for M23 to end its offensive and territorial expansion in the east of the country without delay.
Malawi, South Africa, and Tanzania, as troop contributing countries (TCCs) to the Force Intervention Brigade, along with their involvement in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in DRC (SAMIDRC), have shown continued commitment to the region’s stability. The SADC mission had previously been extended to mid-December 2025.
Meanwhile, MONUSCO has officially ended its operations in the South Kivu province. This marks a significant transition for the region, which has seen its share of conflict and unrest.