MONUSCO Reconnaissance Mission in Mambasa Blocked by Protesters

Bunia, April 7, 2026 - A reconnaissance mission by United Nations peacekeepers in Mambasa territory, Ituri province, was disrupted by local protests on Monday, amid rising insecurity linked to repeated attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). The deployment, carried out by the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), aimed to assess the security situation and support efforts to protect civilians in the area. According to MONUSCO officials, the mission was conducted in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) as part of its civilian protection mandate. The initiative follows a series of deadly ADF attacks that have left dozens of civilians dead in recent weeks. Local sources confirmed the arrival of peacekeepers on the outskirts of Mambasa. However, the convoy was blocked by groups of young protesters who erected barricades and burned tires to prevent MONUSCO forces from entering the area. Residents cited growing frustration and mistrust toward the UN mission, which some accuse of failing to respond effectively to recurring violence by armed groups. Local authorities also reported a tense climate marked by skepticism among sections of the population. Facing the resistance, MONUSCO personnel were forced to withdraw, according to multiple accounts. The incident underscores ongoing tensions between the peacekeeping mission and local communities, particularly in areas heavily affected by armed group activity. Mambasa territory has experienced a resurgence of ADF attacks in recent months, with civilians frequently targeted in rural and mining zones. These attacks, often involving killings, abductions, and the destruction of property, have led to significant population displacement. Despite joint military operations conducted by the FARDC and Ugandan forces, the ADF continues to operate across parts of Ituri as well as neighboring territories such as Irumu and Beni, maintaining a persistent threat to civilian populations.