Kinshasa Deploys Officers to Goma to Support Ceasefire Monitoring Mission

GOMA, July 14, 2026 - The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has deployed three military officers to Goma to participate in efforts to monitor the ceasefire in the country’s eastern region, as part of a new international verification mechanism. The officers - Lt. Col. Ben Epule Cosmas, who heads the delegation, Maj. Lokuli Bofanda Fredy, and Maj. Kitoko Dimonekene André - arrived in Goma on July 13 aboard a United Nations peacekeeping mission aircraft. They were accompanied by Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Deputy Head of MONUSCO. The deployment follows discussions held on July 2 between Defense Minister Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita and MONUSCO Head James Swan on establishing mechanisms to strengthen monitoring of the ceasefire in eastern DRC. The three Congolese representatives will join the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+), a new body created through commitments reached during the Doha peace talks between the Congolese government and the AFC/M23, as well as the Washington peace agreement. Operating from Goma, the EJVM+ is tasked with monitoring civilian protection, supporting security sector reforms, and overseeing compliance with ceasefire commitments agreed under the Doha and Washington frameworks. The mechanism is led by Zambian Brig. Gen. Charles Simuyuni Nakeempaa, appointed to head the body, with Angolan Col. Arlindo Sebastião Vandunem Fernandes serving as deputy. Under the agreement establishing the EJVM+, signed in Montreux, Switzerland, on April 14, 2026, the DRC government and AFC/M23 are each expected to appoint three representatives, while additional members will come from international organizations. MONUSCO, which remains responsible for operational security support in eastern DRC, will provide logistical assistance to the mechanism, including transportation support through its aircraft to facilitate field operations in areas where monitoring activities are required.