That the Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is now part of Africa’s history doesn’t mean the end of collaborative efforts to bring peace to the troubled country.
An apt illustration came at the weekend when return to home countries was uppermost for the three SAMIDRC (Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC) troop contributors.
Bintou Keita, MONUSCO Head and Special Representative of United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, called on SAMIDRC headquarters in Goma where, according to the SADC, she was “warmly received” by South African Major General Monwabisi Dyakopu, SAMIDRC Force Commander.
The visit, a SADC statement has it, “underscored the strong collaboration” between MONUSCO and SAMIDRC, with both parties reaffirming a shared commitment to fostering peace and stability in the eastern DRC. Keita extended her appreciation to SAMIDRC and troop contributing countries (TCCs) (Malawi, South Africa and Tanzania) for contributions to peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts in the region. In turn, Dyakopu expressed gratitude for MONUSCO support, particularly during repatriation of injured and fallen personnel.
Keita’s Goma visit from 12 to 15 June included engagements with the leadership of M23/AFC (Mouvement du 23 mars/Alliance Fleuve Congo), civil society organisations, women’s groups and MONUSCO staff. She repeated the UN mission’s commitment to protecting civilians and “enhancing partnerships with regional actors” part of which will see her visiting the SADC Secretariat in Gaborone to “deepen collaboration on regional peace and security initiatives”.
