Foreign Minister Cites Rwandan Aggression as Key Obstacle to Peacekeeper Pull-Out

 The withdrawal of U.N. peacekeepers from Congo's North Kivu is unlikely while Rwandan troops remain in the region, according to Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner. The province has been engulfed in a two-year insurgency by the Rwanda-backed M23 militia, displacing over a million people.

A recent U.N. report indicates that 3,000-4,000 Rwandan troops are fighting the Congolese army and controlling M23 operations, an allegation Rwanda denies.

Congo's government recently stated that conditions for the U.N. mission's departure have not been met. Wagner emphasized the need for an orderly withdrawal when circumstances improve, citing Rwanda's aggression as a significant barrier.

Bintou Keita, head of the U.N. mission MONUSCO, confirmed there is no set timeline for the pull-out. MONUSCO's withdrawal, which began with South Kivu's peacekeepers in June, will significantly impact security operations in eastern Congo.

Wagner noted growing international awareness of Rwanda's involvement in the conflict and hopes for targeted sanctions against Rwanda's decision-makers.

The fighting in North Kivu has displaced over 1.7 million people, contributing to a record 7.2 million Congolese displaced by various conflicts, according to U.N. estimates.