Journal of Contemporary Politics

Abstract

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has had numerous conflicts since gaining independence from Belgium in 1960, which has disproportionately and negatively impacted the nation’s political and socio-economic development. Currently, more than 120 Non-State Armed Groups (NSAG) is present in the DRC, and they are constantly attacking public properties and institutions. It has resulted in an increase in displacement, refugee problems, and recruitment of children to the NSAGs, a decrease in agricultural products, poverty, and human rights violations. The United Nations (UN), since the first civil war in Congo (1996-97), has been trying to decrease the conflicts and support the government in various ways to construct institutional mechanisms to ensure the welfare of the Congolese people. The UN deployed a peacekeeping mission named MONUC in 1999, and in 2010, this mission was renamed MONUSCO. Due to various factors, in December 2023, the UN withdrew MONUSCO from DRC by the end of 2024.  This paper examines MONUSCO's contributions to DRC and analyzes its achievements and challenges.