New UN mission chief sets out her vision for DRC

United Nations special representative Bintou Keita says the electoral process will mark “a new critical stage” in the DRC’s journey to democratic transition and stabilisation.

CAPE TOWN, March 31 (ANA) – United Nations special representative Bintou Keita has urged officials to use the time wisely ahead of the 2023 electoral process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The electoral process will mark “a new critical stage” in the country’s journey to democratic transition and stabilisation, Keita said on Tuesday in her first briefing to the Security Council.

“Indeed, we cannot ignore the challenges, the persistent weaknesses and the remaining obstacles, and to overcome them will require the international community and the government to speak with one voice and act with one accord”, she said, addressing the virtual meeting.

Keita, who also heads the UN mission in the country, MONUSCO, was appointed by the secretary-general in January. Since arriving in the DRC, she has met with President Félix Tshisekedi and other top Congolese officials, and with civil society representatives, according to the organisation.

Keita took over the top position when another African, Leila Zerrougui, exited.

Keita brings to the position more than 30 years’ experience in peace, security, development, humanitarian and human rights, having worked in conflict and post-conflict environments, according to African defence and security news publication DefenceWeb.

At Tuesday’s briefing, she outlined opportunities ahead of 2023, including the formation of a new government, noting that “there is a momentum for change that can be built”.

The UN mission chief said she had stressed to leaders that the new government must promptly act on several areas which also overlap with MONUSCO priorities, such as reform of the military and police forces, effective protection of civilians and ensuring disarmament of combatants.

“I am underlining to all stakeholders the need to act within the constitutional framework and to organise the elections in a timely and inclusive manner, respecting the electoral calendar,” Keita said.

Turning to MONUSCO, she updated ambassadors on its ongoing strategy towards eventual withdrawal from the country. The mission is preparing to close field offices in the Kasai region in June, and in Tanganyika province next year, while strengthening co-operation with UN agencies working in the areas of humanitarian aid, development and rule of law.

However, the situation is different in the Kivus and Ituri, located in the country’s volatile eastern region, given the serious security, protection and humanitarian challenges that persist, the UN said.

“To silence the guns, there is no just military solution, but political strategies,” said Keita. “These strategies must take into account and address the many social, economic and governance needs, including in relation to the management of the security apparatus and addressing the underlying challenges of land insecurity and improving transparency and accountability in the mining sector.”

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher