James Swan visits a transit camp for demobilized FDLR fighters in Mubambiro

In the volatile eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) continues its efforts to foster peace and stability, with a recent visit by Special Representative James Swan to a transit camp for demobilized FDLR fighters in Mubambiro highlighting these ongoing endeavors.

Swan's visit to the Disarmament, Demobilization, Reintegration, and Stabilization (DDRS) camp underscored MONUSCO's unwavering commitment to mitigating the threat posed by armed groups and safeguarding civilian populations. The camp, located near Goma, currently houses approximately ten former FDLR combatants who have surrendered and are awaiting repatriation to Rwanda. This initiative represents a crucial step in the complex process of disarming and reintegrating former fighters.

The message from Mubambiro, as articulated by Swan, is one of hope and progress: each ex-combatant who renounces armed struggle signifies a reduction in violence, and each community receiving support moves closer to peace. MONUSCO's role in facilitating this transition, as well as its broader mandate to protect civilians and create conditions for a more stable future in eastern DRC, remains a top priority, aligning with UN Security Council resolutions.

Since April 2025, MONUSCO's DDRS section has successfully repatriated at least 575 FDLR ex-combatants and their dependents to Rwanda. This ongoing repatriation effort is a tangible manifestation of the mission's work on the ground, aiming to address the root causes of conflict and contribute to lasting peace in a region that has long suffered from instability and armed group activity.

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Le message qui ressort de Mubambiro est très clair : chaque ex-combattant qui renonce à la lutte armée représente un pas de plus loin de la violence. Et chaque communauté qui reçoit un soutien concret représente un pas de plus vers paix. La MONUSCO continuera d'appuyer les efforts visant à réduire la menace posée par les groupes armés, à protéger les civils et à créer les conditions d'un avenir plus stable et plus pacifique dans l'Est de la RDC.