“ I accept it with deep appreciation, filled with gratitude and humility. ” These were the first words of MONUSCO Sergeant Matias Reyes, who received the Mbaye Diagne Medal on Friday, June 5, 2026. Established by the United Nations to recognize military personnel, police officers, and civilian staff who demonstrate exceptional courage in the performance of their duties, the award was presented this year to a peacekeeper who displayed remarkable…
The month of May was once again marked by MONUSCO’s sustained commitment to peace and security for communities in the DRC. The Mission also supported efforts to respond to the Ebola outbreak. In Ituri and North Kivu, peacekeepers distinguished themselves in civil protection efforts, particularly in Goma, where firefighting teams brought three major fires under control, preventing human tragedies. The news was also marked by the commemoration of…
From 2 to 3 June 2026, in the town of Lubero, MONUSCO, through the implementing partner of the Civil Affairs Section’s protection project, the Great Lakes Human Rights Programme (GLHRP), and in collaboration with local authorities and civil society, organized a workshop dedicated to strengthening community-based alert and response mechanisms in North Kivu. The objective was to improve the management of early warning alerts and responses to…
The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Head of MONUSCO, James Swan, visited Bunia, capital of Ituri province, on Thursday, 4 June 2026, to assess the progress of the response to the Ebola virus disease and reaffirm the United Nations’ support to the Congolese authorities. “ I have come to Bunia today primarily to express my solidarity with the people of Ituri…
In the Beni territory of North Kivu, the Watalinga Chiefdom and the Ruwenzori Sector have reached an important milestone in strengthening local security governance through the updating of their Local Security Plans (LSPs). Originally developed in 2019 under the “Together for Beni” project with support from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) as part of its stabilization program…
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has strengthened its support for the fight against the Ebola outbreak by handing over new vehicles to the World Health Organization (WHO) to facilitate team mobility and improve response efforts in Ituri Province. The official handover ceremony took place on Wednesday, June 3, in Bunia, the provincial capital. “The handover of two armored…
One hundred and twenty-two children, including thirty-six girls, were separated from armed groups operating in the Walikale territory between 14 and 18 May 2026 and subsequently taken into the care of child protection partners working in Walikale. To date, one hundred and ten of them have already been reunited with their families, while efforts continue to help the remaining twelve return to their family environments with the support of UNICEF…
On the occasion of the celebration of the International Day dedicated to them this Friday, May 29, in Kinshasa, the head of MONUSCO paid tribute to “ the peacekeepers who lost their lives in the service of others. ” For James Swan, this commemoration is “ a day of gratitude during which we honor the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of the women and men who serve under the United Nations flag in the cause of peace. ” The head of MONUSCO recalled…
Committing to peace is a demanding choice, guided by duty and a sense of humanity. Coming from diverse backgrounds, these women and men shared one common mission: to protect and serve communities. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, their commitment has left a lasting impact. Their memory remains both a reference point and a responsibility: to carry forward their commitment to the protection of civilians.
In North Kivu, the troubled province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo still scarred by armed violence, Commander Hakima Edahri continues to find reasons for optimism that never leaves her. This mother of five is the Head of the Engagement Section and Gender Focal Point of the Rapid Deployment Battalion of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces within MONUSCO. Every morning when she wakes up, she reminds herself that peace is worth every…