GOMA - After 25 years of blue helmets' presence in eastern Congo, 2024 was supposed to be the year of departure. But as the UN peacekeeping mission deploys the retreat, M23 rebels keep advancing.

The departure of the blue helmets from Congo should have ushered in a new chapter. “Time for the Congolese to choose their own allies,” many Congolese citizens believe. But after a celebratory departure of the UN peacekeeping mission from South Kivu province, plans are becoming uncertain.

Can a mission leave while M23 rebels, backed by neighboring Rwanda, are gaining ground? The retreat is delayed and M23 unstoppable. The blue helmets watch as both Goma and Bukavu fall into M23 hands.

Photo: © TD Jack Muhindo

Supported
€11,400 allocated on 04/12/2023
ID:
FPD/2023/2129
Grant:
Pascal Decroos Fund

Themes

Publication

PRINT/ONLINE

TV/ONLINE

RADIO

EVENT

COUNTRIES

  • Congo (DRC)
  • Rwanda

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