MONUSCO Urges End to Drone Use and GPS Disruptions

Kinshasa, April 20, 2026 - The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has called for the suspension of offensive drone operations and an end to GPS signal interference to ensure effective monitoring of the ceasefire between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 rebellion. In a statement issued on April 19, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) welcomed recent progress made during talks in Montreux, Switzerland, where both parties agreed on measures related to humanitarian access, detainee exchanges, and the protection of civilian infrastructure. However, the UN mission stressed that several key conditions must be met to allow the ceasefire monitoring mechanism to function “credibly, securely, and effectively.” These include halting the use of offensive drones, ending the jamming and spoofing of GPS signals, ensuring full freedom of movement for MONUSCO personnel, and guaranteeing safe access to airspace and airport facilities. MONUSCO emphasized the importance of establishing a transparent and operational monitoring system capable of verifying compliance with the ceasefire and helping to reduce violence on the ground. The mission also highlighted the role of such mechanisms in strengthening civilian protection and supporting the gradual restoration of state authority in conflict-affected areas. The UN mission reaffirmed its readiness to support the deployment of initial verification missions through logistical and technical assistance, in line with its stabilization mandate and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. MONUSCO further encouraged both parties to maintain the current diplomatic momentum and translate commitments into concrete improvements on the ground, while continuing negotiations on outstanding issues. The appeal comes as ongoing mediation efforts, supported by international partners including Qatar, the United States, and the African Union, seek to consolidate fragile progress toward a broader peace agreement in eastern DRC.