During a meeting of the body held on Thursday, Bintou Keita, head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), warned that after occupying more territories in North Kivu and South Kivu, with support of the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF), the advance on Walikale territory endangers the neighboring provinces.

Keita also highlighted the gradual establishment of a parallel administration by the rebel group, which has appointed governors, financial administrators, and a mining delegate, normalizing the illicit exploitation of natural resources in eastern DRC.

The MONUSCO head acknowledged that the ceasefire calls and commitments have not been respected.

In her presentation to the Security Council, Keita praised the mediation efforts made by Angolan President Joao Lourenço. But, given Angola’s removal, she called for the speedy appointment of an African Union (AU) mediator to lead peace efforts in the DRC.

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