Chinese peacekeeping forces conclude 20-year mission in Congo

By Byobe Malenga

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo (AA) - Chinese forces under the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) bid farewell to the country on Tuesday after more than two decades of service amid criticism over its inability to establish lasting peace and safeguard civilians.

A tribute ceremony was held in the town of Bukavu in South Kivu province in eastern Congo.

The event was attended by various dignitaries including Bintou Keita, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of Congo and head of MONUSCO, Chinese Ambassador Zhao Bin and Congolese authorities.

Keita said that after the departure of the peacekeeping mission, UN agencies, funds and programs will continue their support by their mandates.

At the same time, the Congolese government will assume responsibility for the “protection and security of civilians,” she said, while commending the work done by China.

“They have contributed considerably to peace and security in the DRC,” said Keita.

The withdrawal is part of the gradual disengagement plan of MONUSCO in the DRC mutually agreed with the Congolese government.

For more than 20 years, 6,000 Chinese peacekeepers have been deployed in the Congo, but only 218 remain and will officially leave on April 25. They have contributed to caring for MONUSCO workers and even ordinary citizens and strengthening infrastructure in the east of the country, particularly in South Kivu, through a series of projects including the completion of roads and the construction of 20 heliports.

In February, MONUSCO officially closed and transferred its Kamanyola base in the Uvira Territory near the Burundi-Rwanda border to the national police.

By May, the UN force is expected to vacate its 14 bases in South Kivu province, handing them over to Congolese security forces.