Categories: World

UN peacekeepers to withdraw from Democratic Republic of the Congo

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for November 21

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

Congo’s foreign minister and the head of the United Nations stabilization mission in Congo signed agreements Tuesday to end the presence of U.N. peacekeepers after more than two decades in the Central African nation.

Congolese Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula told national television that the ceremony marked the end of a collaboration “which has proved its limits in a context of permanent war, without the longed for peace being restored to eastern Congo.”

In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly in September, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi called for an accelerated withdrawal of the 15,000 peacekeepers. Earlier this month, he told Congress that “the phased withdrawal of the U.N. mission must be responsible and sustainable.”

OPPOSITION LEADER LAUNCHES BID TO UNSEAT CONGOLESE PRESIDENT

While no firm timeline was announced Tuesday, observers say it’s unlikely to accelerate the withdrawal before the current election cycle is completed.

The flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is seen in Beijing, May 26, 2023. (Photo by Wang Xin/VCG)

Tshisekedi seeks another term in the Dec. 20 presidential election. Already the conflict in the country’s east has taken center stage. The president launched his campaign with a fiery speech accusing neighboring Rwanda of destabilizing eastern Congo.

Eastern Congo has long been overrun by dozens of armed groups seeking a share of the region’s gold and other resources. Some have been quietly backed by Congo’s neighbors. U.N. experts have noted “substantial evidence” that Rwanda is supporting the resurgent M23 rebel group, which Rwanda has denied.

Frustrated Congolese say that no one is protecting them from rebel attacks, leading to protests against the U.N. mission and others that have at times turned deadly.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Last month the Congolese government directed the East African regional force, deployed last year to help end the fighting, to leave the country by December. The government alleged a “lack of satisfactory results on the ground.”

Share

Recent Posts

Trump says US will deal ‘directly’ with Iran in high-level meeting on Saturday

close Video President Trump says US to have direct talks with Iran During his Oval…

41 minutes ago

Texas track meet stabbing suspect told Austin Metcalf ‘see what happens’ as tent dispute turned deadly: docs

close Video Father speaks out after son was stabbed to death at track meet: 'My…

51 minutes ago

Texas man who vowed to shoot, kill ICE agents, said Noem should be in ‘gulag,’ charged in federal court: DOJ

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for April 7 Fox News Flash top headlines…

51 minutes ago

Small airplane skids off runway into bay during botched landing at Oregon airport

close Video Plane bounces while trying to land at Tampa airport Dramatic footage shows small…

51 minutes ago

Reporter’s Notebook: Power player on Capitol Hill

Whether or not congressional Republicans are able to pass President Donald Trump’s "big, beautiful bill"…

1 hour ago

Thousands of USAID terminations to take effect by September in agency’s final leg of ‘drawdown’

Thousands of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) employees will be terminated by September…

1 hour ago