The European Union (EU) have expressed concern over the security vacuum most likely to be left in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo following withdrawal of the United Nations peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO).
MONUSCO are ending their mission in the DR Congo following a decision made by the Congolese government for the forces to leave the country.
During the closing of his 24-hour working visit to Goma in North Kivu Province on Tuesday, EU Commissioner in charge of civil protection and crisis management Janez Lenarcic said that the withdrawal of MONUSCO puts the security and humanitarian situation into further jeopardy.
“If MONUSCO withdrawal should take place, it should be done in an orderly manner. In Goma, I met the military governor who briefed me on the security and humanitarian situation in the North Kivu province. This situation, obviously, is not good, on the contrary, this situation has worsened in recent months” he said.
Janez Lenarcic also visited the Bushagara displaced persons camp, in Nyirangongo territory and said the Congolese authorities have a serious challenge with the situation in the east.
He indicated that he had serious concerns about the potential negative impact the withdrawal of the UN mission could leave on the protection of civilians in eastern DR Congo.
