Politics undermine eastern Congo security gains

Significance

MONUSCO on February 11 had already halted its support for the planned offensive, linking its decision to concerns over human rights abuse allegations against two Congolese generals tasked with leading the operations. Tensions between the government and its main international partners come at a time of growing instability in the eastern provinces, threatening to reverse gains made since the 2013 defeat of the main rebel group in the Kivu provinces, the M23 Movement.

Impacts

• The UN is the international donor community's main entry point into DRC, making it a key diplomatic pawn.
• MONUSCO is unlikely to withdraw completely given the range of security and development functions it offers.
• However, its offensive role against armed groups through the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) will become increasingly political.