Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Criticizes MONUSCO as 'One of UN’s Greatest Failures'

KIGALI, Rwanda - Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, has sharply criticized the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), calling it “one of the greatest failures in the history of the United Nations.”

In a statement issued on November 5, 2025, Minister Nduhungirehe condemned the mission for training DRC government forces (FARDC) to use heavy weapons and drones-equipment he said has been used to violate ceasefire agreements and target civilians in eastern Congo.

“If I understand correctly, MONUSCO’s primary responsibility is to protect civilians,” Nduhungirehe said. “Yet it is training the DRC army-which is working alongside the genocidal FDLR group-to use weapons and drones that are being used daily to attack civilians.”

The criticism followed remarks by Lt. Gen. Johnny Luboya N’Kashama, Governor of Ituri Province, who said the ongoing exercises would help DRC soldiers become “more professional” and “defeat the enemy.”

Minister Nduhungirehe, however, argued that MONUSCO’s actions undermine its mandate, enabling government forces to continue hostilities against the AFC/M23 coalition in violation of the ceasefire.

Despite being deployed in the DRC for over 25 years and spending nearly $20 billion, MONUSCO has failed to stabilize the volatile eastern regions, where more than 16,000 peacekeepers are still stationed.

Nduhungirehe further accused the mission of allowing armed groups like the FDLR to rebuild, while hate speech and persecution against Kinyarwanda-speaking communities continue unchecked.

His remarks add to a growing chorus of regional voices questioning the effectiveness and accountability of UN peacekeeping operations in the Great Lakes region.