UN Mission Pushes for Operational Ceasefire Monitoring Mechanism in Eastern DRC

Goma, May 5, 2026 - Efforts to strengthen ceasefire monitoring in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have advanced with discussions in Goma between the United Nations and regional verification structures tasked with tracking violations on the ground.

During his visit to North Kivu, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), James Swan, met with the leadership of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM+) as well as members of the Joint Intelligence Fusion Center.

The meeting focused on the operationalization of the ceasefire monitoring system established under recent regional and international peace efforts, amid continued clashes between government forces and the Congo River Alliance alongside its armed wing, the March 23 Movement.

According to MONUSCO, the mechanism is intended to verify ceasefire violations and support implementation of agreements reached through ongoing diplomatic processes involving regional and international mediators.

The UN mission indicated its readiness to provide logistical and technical support to initial verification missions, in line with its mandate under Security Council Resolution 2808.

Discussions in Goma follow earlier negotiations held in Montreux, Switzerland, where representatives of the Congolese government and AFC/M23 agreed in principle on the establishment of a strengthened monitoring framework as part of broader peace efforts facilitated by international partners.

MONUSCO welcomed what it described as progress in the peace process, particularly regarding the drafting of protocols on humanitarian access and civilian protection. It urged all parties to maintain engagement in order to finalize and implement the agreements.