The President of the Republic, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, received in audience on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Kinshasa, Mr. James Christopher Swan, the new Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of MONUSCO. This meeting is part of the initial high-level consultations conducted by the new Head of Mission since assuming his duties in the DRC.
During the meeting, Mr. Swan reaffirmed his commitment to working in close collaboration with Congolese authorities in a spirit of partnership, active listening, and mutual respect. He emphasized that his return to the DRC is accompanied by a clear determination to support efforts toward peace, stability, and the protection of civilians, in accordance with the mandate entrusted to MONUSCO by the Security Council through Resolutions 2773 (2025) and 2808 (2025).
This first official contact also provided an opportunity to address the major security and political challenges of the moment, particularly the situation in the east of the country, where civilian populations continue to suffer the consequences of insecurity and forced displacement. In this context, Mr. Swan recalled that the protection of civilians remains at the heart of MONUSCO's actions and that no lasting solution can be found without tangible progress on political and diplomatic fronts.
The Head of MONUSCO praised President Tshisekedi’s commitment to ongoing diplomatic efforts and his willingness to prioritize a non-armed resolution to the crisis. Discussions focused on the need to translate progress made within regional and international diplomatic frameworks into concrete results on the ground, notably regarding ceasefires, confidence-building measures, and the improvement of the humanitarian situation.
The two leaders also discussed the implementation of MONUSCO’s mandate as well as priorities related to Security Sector Reform (SSR), Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR), support for the ceasefire, and continued cooperation between the United Nations and Congolese institutions.
Furthermore, Mr. Swan reiterated 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. Drawing on his previous experience in the DRC, he stressed the importance of close collaboration with national authorities and communities to support de-escalation efforts and create the conditions for lasting peace.
This audience with the Head of State marks the beginning of a series of exchanges that the new Special Representative intends to pursue with key Congolese institutions. It reflects a shared desire to maintain close political dialogue at a pivotal moment for the DRC and the Great Lakes region.
