ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday urged a stronger United Nations (UN) peacekeeping role and the need for an immediate ceasefire in DRC Congo, said a press release shared by Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN on X on Friday.
Pakistan voiced concern over the continued deterioration of the security situation in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), warning that ongoing offensives and territorial expansion by AFC/M23 are undermining confidence in peace efforts and complicating implementation of MONUSCO’s mandate, the statement said.
Addressing the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the DRC, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, underscored the urgency of stabilizing conditions on the ground and said MONUSCO remains relevant as an impartial presence capable of supporting peace efforts and strengthening protection of civilians in current circumstances.
Ambassador Ahmad said that Pakistan remains particularly concerned about developments in North and South Kivu.
Cessation of hostilities
He noted that despite commitments undertaken under the Doha Framework and the Washington Agreement, AFC/M23 continues its offensives and territorial gains.
Pakistan stressed the need for full implementation of Security Council resolution 2773, including cessation of hostilities, M23’s withdrawal from areas under its control, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC.
The statement further said that Pakistan took note of progress toward operationalizing ceasefire oversight and verification arrangements.
“This includes agreement on the terms of reference of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism and initial preparatory steps undertaken by MONUSCO, as mandated in resolution 2808,” it added.
However, the ambassador emphasized that an actual ceasefire has not yet taken hold on the ground.
In this context, he supported the secretary-general’s emphasis on a phased and conditions-based approach to MONUSCO’s potential role in ceasefire monitoring.
Security of peacekeepers
Ambassador Ahmad said that prerequisites outlined by the Secretary-General—particularly those related to freedom of movement, access to key infrastructure, and the safety and security of peacekeepers—must be met for MONUSCO to perform any monitoring role meaningfully.
He stressed that protecting peacekeepers must remain central to decisions on MONUSCO’s posture.
The Pakistan Permanent Representative also highlighted the operational impact of contingency planning cuts.
He said that 2,674 troops, military experts, police personnel, and civilian staff were repatriated or downsized, and that of the 11,500 troops authorized by the Council, only 7,879 remain on the ground.
He said reduced troop levels, civilian staffing, and intelligence and surveillance capabilities have adversely affected mandate delivery and increased risks for peacekeepers.
He stressed that any additional responsibilities for MONUSCO, including potential ceasefire monitoring tasks, must be matched with commensurate resources and capabilities.
Ambassador Ahmad said that MONUSCO’s experience, logistical reach, and presence in key population centers remain critical, and expressed openness to a strengthened role for the Mission, including in South Kivu, once conditions permit.
He also reaffirmed support for diplomatic efforts led by the African Union, alongside initiatives by Qatar, the United States, and the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, anchored in respect for the DRC’s unity and sovereignty.
.jpg)
