On 21 October, SIPRI research was used to inform a roundtable discussion on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). During the roundtable, Dr Jaïr van der Lijn, Director of the SIPRI Peace Operations and Conflict Management Programme, presented research focused on MONUSCO’s mandate renewal. The roundtable was held in New York and hosted by Belgium’s Permanent Representation to the UN.
Although the process is currently paused, MONUSCO is withdrawing from the DRC and will transition its activities to other actors. Security Sector Reform (SSR) and Protection of Civilians (PoC) are key factors that will determine the sustainability of the transition. During the event, Dr van der Lijn presented research on how the mission and national and international actors can ensure that the transition is sustainable. The research identifies 11 factors that can determine the success or failure of SSR transitions and outlines recommendations for addressing the challenges of MONUSCO’s transition.
Other organizations, including the African Security Sector Network, presented research on MONUSCO’s transition. Civil society organizations, such as La Dynamique des Femmes Juristes and the Europe–Central Africa Network, offered reflections on the situation. The event concluded with exchanges on the topic, which were opened by France—the state leading the negotiations and drafting of the resolution on MONUSCO’s mandate.
About the SIPRI Peace Operations and Conflict Management Programme
SIPRI’s work within peace operations and conflict management consists of six main pillars: (a) multilateral peace operations data and trends; (b) the future of conflict management and peace operations; (c) gender and peace operations and conflict management; (d) police and security sector reform in conflict management and peace operations; (e) civilian aspects in peace operations; and (f) conflict management, peace operations and human rights.
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