UN envoy meets M23 rebels in Goma to strengthen ceasefire monitoring
The visit comes after the rebel group captured Goma in Jan 2025, worsening the security situation. Van De Perre traveled to the city by helicopter amid ongoing tensions.
KATHMANDU: In the Democratic Republic of Congo, acting head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission, Vivian Van De Perre, met leaders of the M23 rebel group in Goma to discuss mechanisms for monitoring the ceasefire.
The visit comes after the rebel group captured Goma in Jan 2025, worsening the security situation. Van De Perre traveled to the city by helicopter amid ongoing tensions.
The visit is part of efforts to activate the ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism envisioned under regional peace structures.
Following talks with Cornel Nangas, leader of the political-military coalition affiliated with the rebels, the Congo River Alliance, Van De Perre emphasized the practical implementation of the ceasefire as stipulated in the Doha Agreement.
She noted that MONUSCO has the mandate, under UN Security Council Resolution 2808, to provide technical and verification support for a permanent ceasefire.
M23 senior official Benjamin Mbonimpa welcomed the UN’s role and assured full security for UN personnel in areas under rebel control.
Meanwhile, Angola, serving as a mediator, proposed a ceasefire effective from February 18, which the Congolese government has accepted. However, M23 has claimed it has not received official information regarding the proposal.
