After his arrival in Kinshasa on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, the new Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of MONUSCO, James Swan, has officially taken up his duties,
The day after his arrival in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he visited the Mission’s headquarters in Kinshasa, where he met with staff members.
“I am honored to arrive in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to assume my functions as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MONUSCO at a particularly important time for the country and the region. I come with a message of solidarity to the Congolese people, as the security and humanitarian situation in eastern DRC remains deeply concerning and civilians continue to bear the heaviest burden” said James Swan.
An experienced diplomat, the new head of MONUSCO was appointed on March 5 by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres. He succeeds Bintou Keita in this position.
“My priority is to ensure that MONUSCO fully implements the mandate entrusted to it by the Security Council, with a clear focus on the protection of civilians, support for de-escalation, and the creation of conditions conducive to lasting peace,” Mr. Swan stated, adding that “the United Nations stands alongside the Congolese people and the institutions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in full respect of the country’s sovereignty.”
You can relive in images the first day of the new head of MONUSCO at the Mission’s headquarters in Kinshasa by clicking here.
