The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of MONUSCO, Mr. James Swan, arrived in Goma on Friday, April 24, 2026, as part of his first field visit to the eastern part of the country since taking office and which started on 20 April with Beni.
This visit comes amid persistent security challenges and ceasefire monitoring responsibilities for MONUSCO.
Upon his arrival at Goma Airport, Mr. James Swan emphasized the city’s strategic importance in the current stabilization efforts. “Goma plays a central role in current efforts toward de-escalation, the protection of civilians, and support for ongoing peace processes,” he told the press.
He noted that this mission aims, in particular, to enhance the effectiveness of the Mission’s operations on the ground. “My presence here is primarily to meet with our teams, listen to their assessments, engage with the de facto authorities, and examine the concrete conditions under which MONUSCO can carry out its mandate, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773 of August 28, 2025,” he stated.
My presence here is primarily to meet with our teams, listen to their assessments, engage with the de facto authorities, and examine the concrete conditions under which MONUSCO can carry out its mandate, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773 of August 28, 2025,
The Head of MONUSCO also reiterated the Mission’s role in monitoring the ceasefire, emphasizing that MONUSCO is mandated to support the ceasefire through its participation in and support for the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus, whose members he plans to meet during his visit along with the ones of the Joint Intelligence Fusion Center.
This visit comes one week after the talks held from April 13 to 18 in Montreux between representatives of the Government of the DRC and those of the AFC/M23, as part of the Doha process, facilitated by Qatar, the United States, and the African Union, and with the support of Switzerland.
Encouraging progress from the Doha talks
Welcoming the progress made, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC and Head of MONUSCO encouraged the parties to continue their efforts, noting the progress toward signing a protocol on humanitarian access and judicial protection, and urging them to uphold their commitments to swiftly conclude this agreement in the interest of the civilian populations affected by the conflict.
He nevertheless emphasized the conditions necessary for credible monitoring of the ceasefire. “Monitoring the ceasefire requires that certain essential conditions be met to enable the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus to operate in a credible, safe, and effective manner.” He specifically cited: the cessation of the use of offensive drones, an end to the jamming and hijacking of GPS signals, full freedom of movement for MONUSCO personnel and assets, as well as the secure use of airports and airspace.
Call for Cooperation Toward Lasting Peace
Finally, the Special Representative issued a call for collective responsibility: “We are counting on the cooperation of all stakeholders to make rapid progress in this process.” He added that the purpose of this visit is to reinforce de-escalation, restore hope among the region’s populations, and support the implementation of the ceasefire with a view to achieving lasting peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
-Aline Kataliko
