MONUSCO Ready to Support Ceasefire Monitoring Missions, Says James Swan

Kinshasa, July 3, 2026 - The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) has reaffirmed its readiness to support ceasefire monitoring operations in eastern DRC as diplomatic efforts continue to end the conflict between government forces and the AFC/M23 rebellion. James Swan, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of MONUSCO, announced the mission’s preparedness following a meeting on Thursday, July 2, with Guy Kabombo, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence and Veterans Affairs. The discussions focused on MONUSCO’s role in supporting peace initiatives, particularly the Washington Agreement and the Doha Process, as well as strengthening the operational capacity of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+), a regional mechanism tasked with monitoring security commitments. James Swan said MONUSCO had received a mandate to assist ceasefire verification efforts and was working closely with Congolese authorities to ensure effective implementation. He stressed that the mission was prepared to provide logistical support and security assistance once the locations for verification missions are officially identified. “MONUSCO is ready to support missions at the identified sites for ceasefire monitoring,” Swan said, adding that planning activities were already underway to facilitate the deployment of verification teams. The announcement comes amid growing international pressure for the rapid deployment of ceasefire monitoring mechanisms following discussions within the framework of the Washington Agreement. Kinshasa and Kigali have committed to supporting the deployment of the EJVM+ and strengthening verification processes aimed at ensuring compliance with peace commitments. During the meeting, MONUSCO also reviewed its broader cooperation with the Congolese government and the FARDC. James Swan highlighted the importance of coordination in protecting civilians, supporting disarmament and reintegration programs for armed groups, and assisting security sector reforms. MONUSCO currently maintains thousands of peacekeepers in the country and continues operations, particularly in areas affected by armed violence in northern North Kivu and Ituri. The mission’s renewed commitment comes as diplomatic initiatives face significant challenges amid persistent insecurity in eastern DRC. The success of ceasefire monitoring efforts will depend on the cooperation of all parties involved and the creation of conditions allowing verification teams to operate safely on the ground.