Can you tell us a bit about yourself? My name is Dimakatso Raisibe Margaret Maila from South Africa. I am 31 years old and I like running, cooking and reading. I am originally from Marulaneng Ga-Mphahlele in Limpopo Province and I joined the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in 2010. How long have you been a peacekeeper and what are your responsibilities? I started this journey last year—June 2018. Currently, I am a Platoon Commander…
Ever since the UN deployed the first of its 72 peacekeeping missions back in 1948, more than 3,800 peacekeepers have lost their lives, Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday, at a wreath laying ceremony in honour of those “brave men and women” who serve. Speaking of “the true cost of peacekeeping”, the UN chief called for a moment of silence for those who “paid the ultimate price” to protect others and “to give war-torn countries a…
Kinshasa/Butembo (23 May 2019) - With the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo now in its tenth month and the number of new cases increasing in recent weeks, the United Nations announced today measures to strengthen its response and end the outbreak. The Ebola epidemic has claimed more than 1,200 lives and the risk of spread to other provinces in the eastern Congo as well as neighbouring countries remains very high. A third of…
In recognition of his “brave and selfless” action under fire in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) ̶ saving the life of a fellow ‘blue helmet’ and helping his colleagues repel an armed group ̶ the late Malawian soldier Chancy Chitete, will be honoured with the UN’s highest peacekeeping award this coming Friday, by the UN Secretary-General. Private Chitete was killed in November 2018, during an operation in the eastern part of the country to…
The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is shocked at today’s attack against an Ebola health facility in Butembo in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has resulted in the killing of one international staff member from the World Health Organization (WHO). One staff of the Congolese Ministry of Health has also been injured as well as a driver. “I…
The UN Security Council decided unanimously on Friday, March 29, to renew the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo MONUSCO, until as of December 20, 2019. With two strategic priorities. Kinshasa, March 30, 2019 - The resolution adopted by the Council further entrusts the Secretary-General of the United Nations with submitting to no later than 20 October 2019 the results of its…
This report is presented pursuant to resolution 39/20 of the Human Rights Council, which requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to submit a report on the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before, during and after the elections of December 2018. The report describes violations and abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms committed in the country between 22 November 2018 and 24 January…
I came to Congo 10 months ago. While in Congo, I was moved by many stories every day, especially when interacting with the local people and villagers; I am deeply touched by their sense of humility, kindness and curiosity to know new things. In each patrol to a village, children would follow the patrolling car and shout "MONUSCO!", obliging us to drive slowly for fear of raising dust and hurt their bodies, still weak. Children wouldn't care, they…
Goma, the 8 th of February 2019 – The women in North-Kivu were on the Spot light with an impressive crowd from the start to finish during the commemoration of the International Women’s 8 March 2019 in Goma. The impressive turnout was championed by women in uniform amongst them the FARDC, PNC and Military Police(MP) who Matched vigorously round the ceremonial grounds admits thunderous applause from the grand stand and about a thousand women from…
Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) RSABATT Officer, Commanding Lt Col Tiisetso Sekgobela, organised a very successful cohesion meeting with different DRC stakeholders (FARDC, PNC, Chiefs, Civilian Officials, etc) and the local population, to enhance the good rapport amongst them. Lt Col T Sekgobela conducted a briefing session in which she put more emphasis on building trust and confidence amongst each other. The MONUSCO Officer enlightened the…