In a significant diplomatic intervention from the United Nations Security Council, James Swan, head of the MONUSCO mission, delivered a powerful message to Congolese authorities this Friday. Swan emphasized the urgent need for all national stakeholders to unite around an inclusive national dialogue framework while safeguarding civic space and fundamental freedoms—particularly freedom of expression and peaceful assembly—to enable constructive participation in a secure environment.
The timing of this appeal is particularly critical as the constitutional debate continues to deepen divisions across the country, with recent incidents targeting the headquarters of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) in Kinshasa raising serious concerns about political tensions.
On the security front, the UN diplomat commended the establishment of a national commission tasked with overseeing security sector reform and highlighted the ongoing development of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s first-ever national security policy, currently being led by the presidency.
Key Recommendations from the UN
- Inclusive participation: All political and social actors must be included in the dialogue process
- Civic space protection: Guaranteeing freedom of expression and peaceful assembly
- Security sector reform: Accelerating implementation of SSR initiatives
- National security policy: Finalizing the country’s first comprehensive security framework
Swan’s intervention comes at a pivotal moment for Africa’s largest country, as political and security challenges continue to mount. The international community is clearly signaling that a collaborative approach to national governance remains essential for sustainable peace and development in the DRC.
