- The Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains one of Africa’s most volatile conflict zones, hit by intense clashes between government forces and the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group.
- The M23 rebel group, widely believed to have backing from neighboring countries, has made significant territorial gains in North and South Kivu provinces in late 2025 and early 2026.
- In a major development on 24 February 2026, the M23 military spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Willy Ngoma, was killed in a Congolese army drone strike near Rubaya in North Kivu.
- The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) is one of several peacekeeping missions that have sought to restore stability in the DRC over the past six decades.
- Plans for the mission’s withdrawal have been indefinitely suspended following the latest advances by the M23, including its capture of Uvira shortly after the signing of peace agreements in Washington, D.C.
- In December 2025, the UN Security Council also extended MONUSCO’s mandate by another 12 months through Resolution 2808 (2025).
- This is an inside look at how the MONUSCO mission, comprising over 12,000 personnel, fulfills its core mandates of protecting civilians and supporting the reform of the DRC’s security sector to achieve lasting peace.
A Spotlight on the Current Security Crisis in DRC
Eastern DRC remains one of Africa’s most volatile theatres of conflict, where shifting battle grounds and fractured political structures have repeatedly dashed hopes of stability.
The sustained onslaught by the M23 rebel movement, backed by elements of the Rwandan Defense Forces, according to multiple international observers, led to the dramatic fall of strategic DRC cities such as Goma and Bukavu.
Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and other armed factions continue to inflict brutal attacks against villages, complicating any stabilization effort.
At the same time, diplomatic tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali, among other regional capitals, over alleged cross-border support for armed groups have added a geopolitical layer to the conflict.
These developments have collectively kept the eastern provinces in a constant loop of terror and insecurity.
A worsening humanitarian crisis and the displacement of tens of thousands of civilians have prompted the international community to seek urgent and sustainable solutions.
Within this hotbed of conflict, MONUSCO’s strategic priorities remain anchored in protecting civilians under imminent threat, supporting stabilization and disarmament, and assisting the Congolese state in security coordination.
The Military Formations Behind MONUSCO
At its core, MONUSCO is not a single fighting force but a layered military ecosystem with infantry units, specialized brigades, and support formations drawn from different troop-contributing countries.
Together, these elements form one of the UN’s most robust peacekeeping forces, authorized in specific cases, to confront armed groups directly.
Each formation brings distinct capabilities and national military traditions, but they are unified under the mission’s command structure and mandate.
Infantry Battalions and Rapid Deployment Units
Forming the backbone of MONUSCO are its infantry battalions deployed across North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri provinces to conduct security patrols, area domination, and Protection of Civilians missions.
1. Indonesia Rapid Deployment Battalion (Task Force XXXIX-G)
This contingent from the Indonesian National Armed Forces provides a ready combat element within MONUSCO, capable of quick response to emerging threats and strenuous patrol operations across difficult terrain.
Recent reporting indicates that the battalion is commanded by an Indonesian officer, identified as Colonel Inf Fardin Wardhana, M.P.M., highlighting Indonesia’s growing role in UN peace operations.
2. Battalion of the Republic of South Africa (RSABATT)
The South African battalion remains one of the key infantry contributors under MONUSCO’s Force Intervention Brigade (FIB).
It is a detachment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), considered one of the continent’s most professional militaries.
While its current commander is harder to verify publicly, past rotations have included leadership such as Lt. Col. Fanisile Kandile.
These battalions regularly conduct joint patrols alongside other national units and the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), maintaining a forward presence in villages, towns, and contested road corridors to deter armed group movement and protect civilians.
Force Intervention Brigade: Offence Within a Peacekeeping Mission
Unlike traditional peacekeeping units, the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) operates under an explicitly offensive mandate, a rare occurrence in UN peacekeeping history.
Its task is not merely to hold territory but to neutralize and disarm armed groups deemed violent spoilers of peace.
Brigadier General Richard Tobias Chagonapanja is recognized within mission reporting as a senior commander of the brigade, responsible for coordinating offensive operations, quick reaction forces, and the integration of units like the KENQRF within FIB’s broader strategy.
The Kenya Quick Reaction Force (KENQRF4) embedded within the FIB plays a high-mobility role, responding to flashpoints and reinforcing patrols across Ituri and North Kivu.
Lieutenant Colonel Simon Seda from the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) serves as the commanding officer of KENQRF4, leading the unit in joint patrols and area domination operations alongside Indonesian and South African elements.
The brigade’s unique combination of infantry battalions, quick reaction forces, and supporting elements allows it to conduct dynamic, targeted operations against armed groups when conditions demand.
Specialized Units: Signals and Support
Supporting these combat and rapid reaction elements are specialized contingents such as:
KDF’s Kenya Signals Company 3 (KENSIG 3) ensures secure, reliable connectivity between forward units and mission headquarters.
Its previous rotations have been commended for robust performance by senior mission leadership, including Force Commanders, highlighting the unit’s prowess in linking remote formations with operational command.
It is also worth noting that South Africa’s airborne component to the mission, a Composite Helicopter Unit (CHU), was withdrawn in 2025.
MONUSCO Headquarters, Core Operational Sectors, and Command
Above these formations sits MONUSCO’s military command, which is located in the DRC’s capital, Kinshasa.
At the top of the operation is Lieutenant General Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes of Brazil, who was appointed in January 2025.
As MONUSCO Force Commander, Lt. Gen Mesquita directs all military components of the mission and liaises with civilian leadership and UN headquarters on strategic priorities.
Under the current mandate (Resolution 2808), the mission has shifted from a nationwide presence to focusing almost exclusively on the conflict-prone eastern provinces.
The mission’s military and police components are primarily organized into the following operational sectors:
Sector Ituri (HQ: Bunia): Focuses on protecting civilians from CODECO and ADF militia activities. This is one of the two primary remaining “active” provinces.
Sector North Kivu (HQ: Goma/Beni): The most volatile sector, dealing with the M23 offensive and ADF rebels. The Force Headquarters was recently adjusted, with significant operations centered around the Beni and Goma hubs.
MONUSCO operates in a network of field bases across the region, including the Mobile Operating Base in Tchomia in Ituri province, Lieutenant Masulia Camp in North Kivu, which hosts the KEQRF4 contingent, and Garuda Camp, among other security installations.
Indian Level 2 Plus Hospital Goma Recognized as MONUSCO Lifeline
The Indian Level 2 Plus Hospital in Goma has emerged as a cornerstone of the MONUSCO mission.
Recently recognized for its service during the 2025 security escalations, the Indian Army-run field hospital delivers critical medical care and emergency services to both UN peacekeepers and the surrounding civilian population.
Beyond its clinical role, the facility has become a visible pillar of mission life.
The facility is occasionally featured on official posts by contributing nations’ departments of defense, doubling as a hub for fitness events, community medical outreach, and morale-building activities.
Indian Level 2 Plus Hospital quietly strengthens trust, cohesion, and resilience among troops operating under constant threat of insurgents.
As the security situation continues to evolve, MONUSCO’s effectiveness will rest not only on battlefield decisions, but on how well its structures continue to adapt to one of the world’s most unforgiving operating environments.
