The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has held talks with Rwanda-backed rebels to address the protection of civilians in areas under rebel control in the country’s east.
Bintou Keita, the UN Secretary-General’s special representative, said the rebels expressed a desire for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis, which escalated in January with their capture of Goma, a major city in the region.
Keita described the discussions in Goma on Friday as being held in “a spirit of listening and exchange.” While few details were released about the outcome, she noted in a brief statement that the meeting was part of ongoing “joint efforts begun several months ago for the benefit of the population” and came at a critical juncture.
Photos from the summit showed Keita boarding a helicopter en route to the conflict zone and meeting with leaders of the Congo River Alliance, which includes the M23 rebel group. While not the first UN-led engagement since Goma’s fall, this meeting is considered the most high-profile to date.
Earlier this year, the UN peacekeeping force in DRC, known as Monusco, was unable to prevent M23 rebels from advancing and seizing significant territory from the Congolese army. The group also launched attacks on Monusco peacekeepers.
Since January, the M23 has made substantial gains in the mineral-rich east, including the takeover of Goma. The conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands and caused thousands of deaths. Airports in Goma and Kivumu remain closed, and public sector workers have gone unpaid as the region’s infrastructure crumbles.
On Friday, nearly 250 South African troops who were part of a Southern African Development Community (SADC) force supporting the Congolese army returned home. Their phased withdrawal follows the deaths of 20 soldiers during an M23 offensive.
At a follow-up meeting on Saturday, Monusco said Keita met with a senior SADC commander to express mutual appreciation for the “support and solidarity” shared during these challenging months.
