DRC : the MONUSCO persists despite setbacks — James Swan inherits a mission under pressure in a region in turmoil

SOS Médias Burundi

Goma, April 9, 2026 — US diplomat James Swan officially took office on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, as head of the MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo), amid persistent insecurity and growing criticism of the UN mission in eastern DRC.

He succeeds Bintou Keita, whose mandate was strongly contested by a segment of the Congolese population, particularly due to the mission’s perceived ineffectiveness in the face of the proliferation of armed groups.

Upon his arrival in Kinshasa, James Swan emphasized his priorities : “My priority is to ensure that the MONUSCO fully implements the mandate entrusted to it by the United Nations Security Council, with a clear focus on the protection of civilians, support for de-escalation, and the creation of conditions conducive to lasting peace.” He also affirmed that “the United Nations stands with the Congolese people and institutions, in full respect of the country’s sovereignty.”

Fragile agreements in the background

MONUSCO’s updated mandate incorporates the new diplomatic frameworks stemming from the agreements concluded in 2025 in Washington between the DRC and Rwanda, as well as the process initiated in Doha, Qatar.

The Washington discussions notably include a de-escalation between Kinshasa and Kigali, with commitments to end support for armed groups and the establishment of joint verification mechanisms. In Doha, initiatives focus on dialogue with certain armed groups with a view to a ceasefire, disarmament, and the possible reintegration of combatants.

In this context, the MONUSCO is called upon to play a key monitoring and verification role, despite repeated violations on the ground.

A worrying military escalation

The United Nations Security Council is concerned about the increasing use of sophisticated weapons by armed groups, including drones and anti-aircraft missiles, a sign of a worrying increase in capabilities.

Faced with this development, the mission is now authorized to conduct targeted offensive operations through its intervention brigade, marking a turning point in its approach.

Embargo, GPS jamming, and hybrid warfare

The resolution also entrusts MONUSCO with :

monitoring the arms embargo

tracking GPS jamming practices reported in conflict zones

These elements illustrate a transformation of the conflict toward more technological and difficult-to-contain forms of warfare.

An increasingly contested mission

Created in 2010 to replace the MONUC (United Nations Organization Mission in the DRC), the MONUSCO remains one of the world’s largest peacekeeping operations. But its image is deeply tarnished.

In Goma, in particular, the largest city in eastern Congo, demonstrations have regularly denounced its ineffectiveness against armed groups. The protests of 2022 and 2023 were marked by deadly violence.

The bloodiest crackdown, in August 2023, left dozens dead, including members of a local sect, sparking widespread international outrage.

A mission at a crossroads

In this volatile context, James Swan takes the helm of a weakened mission, forced to prove its effectiveness as the security situation continues to deteriorate.

Between fragile agreements, the rise of armed groups, and the rejection of a segment of the population, the future of the MONUSCO in eastern DRC appears more uncertain than ever.