The UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has welcomed a new agreement aimed at easing the flow of aid to conflict-affected regions.
Following talks in Montreux, Switzerland, the Congolese Government and the AFC/M23, both prominent armed groups operating in the country’s east, signed a protocol on humanitarian access and judicial protection.
MONUSCO described the signing as an “important step toward rapid, safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access.”
‘Tremendous burden’ on civilians
This is vital for ensuring that life-saving aid reaches civilians who continue to carry a “tremendous burden” due to the ongoing violence.
MONUSCO Spokesperson Ndeye Khady Lo told UN News that it was important for all combatants “to continue their commitment for the benefit of civilian populations in eastern DRC.”
A separate memorandum was also signed to operationalise the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus, a move intended to strengthen monitoring on the ground. However, MONUSCO cautioned that for these mechanisms to remain “credible, safe and effective,” specific security conditions must be maintained.
