UN mission chief Swan meets Kabila in Goma over civilian protection
James Swan is holding talks with former Congolese President Joseph Kabila in Goma. The UN mission’s agenda covers civilian protection, humanitarian access and ceasefire monitoring, following earlier contacts with the armed coalition now led by Kabila. The consultations take place as peace initiatives face difficulties and international governments press for political dialogue. The meeting’s outcome remains unknown.
Geopolitics··Evening
Swan meets the former president in eastern Congo
James Swan, who leads the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is meeting former President Joseph Kabila in Goma, in the country’s east. The consultations on Tuesday bring the mission chief into contact with the former president following his appointment to lead an armed coalition. Swan arrived in the city on Monday.[1], [2]
The mission, known as MONUSCO, describes its agenda as protecting civilians, enabling humanitarian access and supporting ceasefire monitoring and verification. It places the consultations within the continuation of earlier exchanges with the AFC/M23 armed coalition. The UN says such contacts support humanitarian operations and ceasefire arrangements, rather than granting political recognition.[1]
Kabila’s coalition follows the AFC/M23 restructuring
Kabila took charge of the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation, or FRN, on October 12 after the restructuring of AFC/M23. FRN leaders Corneille Nangaa and Bertrand Bisimwa are attending the Goma meeting alongside him. The coalition’s formation has drawn concern from the African Union, which has called for restraint and inclusive dialogue.[1]
Peace initiatives face implementation difficulties
The Washington and Doha peace processes provide the diplomatic backdrop to the consultations, but implementation has continued to encounter difficulties. In an October 30 joint statement, the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes rejected efforts to pursue political aims through violence and called for inclusive political dialogue. That appeal preceded Tuesday’s meeting.[1]
The outcome of Swan’s talks with Kabila was not immediately known. No new ceasefire agreement or political settlement had been announced, and any fresh commitment by the coalition to the ceasefire remained unreported. Civilian protection, aid access and verification remained the stated subjects of the consultations.[1]
