DRC anti-UN protests: Here’s what’s behind them

In another shooting incident on Sunday, two UN soldiers were accused of opening fire at a border post between Uganda and the DRC, killing two people and injuring 15 others, a DRC government spokesman told CNN Monday.

“There was an accident at the border between Uganda and the DRC yesterday (Sunday),” said DRC’s communications minister and government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya.

“Some UN peacekeepers came back from vacation and when they got to the border, the (DRC) immigration service told them to come back after three days … because there is a lot of pressure at the moment in the DRC. But they decided to force their way through and started shooting. Two people died and 15 people were wounded.”

The MONUSCO force in a statement described the actions of its personnel involved in the shooting as “unspeakable and irresponsible behavior,” adding that the officers had been arrested and were being investigated.

Why are people angry?

Muyaya said the DRC public has become disenchanted with the UN peacekeeping force for failing to secure the country.

The DRC has grappled with decades-long militia violence as state forces struggle to rein in rebel groups. Fighting between government troops and the M23 rebel group, which seeks control of the country from its stronghold in eastern DRC, has left many dead and displaced thousands.

“People are upset and tired of UN peacekeepers in the DRC because they have been here for the past 20 years but the security situation hasn’t changed a lot,” he said.

At least 29 civilians have been killed by M23 between June and July this year, according to Human Rights Watch.

“The MONUSCO never claimed to be the panacea to the security problems of the DRC. We operate in support of the state to protect and bring stability,” Diagne wrote.

In another tweet, Diagne said a misunderstanding of the MONUSCO has led to “excessive expectations.”

“We need to communicate better. Lots of people misunderstand the UN, the Security Council, and the MONUSCO. This leads to excessive expectations, suspicion, and forgetfulness of accomplishments,” he tweeted, adding that the MOUNSCO force had already withdrawn from eight provinces in the DRC.

“Every day the MONUSCO protects communities, strengthens provincial capacities, conducts investigations, separates children from armed groups, and finances projects,” Diagne said, citing the accomplishments of the UN force.

Why now?

Thomas Fessy, a senior DRC researcher for Human Rights Watch, told CNN that demonstrations against the UN mission have been taking place over the last decade, but have escalated due to an unending cycle of violence in eastern DRC.

“Attacks and killings are relentless, displacements of people higher than ever, so people are questioning MONUSCO’s ability to protect civilians and help defeat a myriad of armed groups,” Fessy added. “The frustration and anger of Congolese people at the UN mission should not be overlooked.”

Government spokesman Muyaya added that the protests are also driven by comments made in June by MONUSCO spokesperson Mathias Gillmann, that UN forces do not have enough equipment to combat M23.

“The spokesperson of the UN here made a statement saying the UN is not able to fight the M23 … and was explaining that the M23 has modern weapons,” Muyaya said.

Keita said such attacks were capable of overwhelming MONUSCO.

“Should the M23 continue its well-coordinated attacks against FADC (DRC’s armed forces) and MONUSCO with increasing conventional capabilities, the Mission may find itself confronted by a threat that goes beyond its current capabilities,” she said.

Keita added that in recent clashes, the M23 fought like “a conventional army” rather than an armed group.

“The M23 has firepower and advanced equipment…as well as accurate on aircraft… The threat this poses to the population and the blue helmets (peacekeepers) who have the mandate to protect is obvious.”

CNN has contacted the UN mission in the DRC for additional comment.

One year to evacuate UN troops

In 2010, the UN Security Council resolved to withdraw 2000 peacekeepers from the DRC following pressure by then President Joseph Kabila who had demanded a complete withdrawal of UN fighters from the country.

The DRC government under current President Felix Tshisekedi said it was working with the UN on a withdrawal plan.

Government spokesman Muy the government CNN was in agreement with citizens on the complete withdrawal of UN troops from the DRC, but take up to one year it mayaya told all of them.

“As a government, we are on the same level with our people but the difference is that we are working with MONUSCO on a plan for their retreat. We’ve been working on that since September last year. Even if we decide to end our Collaboration with them today, it will take at least six to nine months or maybe one year to make sure they leave.”

Muyaya added that the government was under pressure to handle the situation quickly. However, the DRC is expected to come under more pressure post-UN evacuation when its forces confront militia groups in a solo effort.

Muyaya said the DRC government was also working on a security reform to build a formidable army.

“We are collaborating with MONUSCO on a transition plan. We are preparing them to leave, at the same time, we are making sure we are doing a good reform to make sure we have an army that can handle all the security issues in the country , he said.