The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), and its predecessor MONUC, have been deployed in the country for 20 years. In recent years, MONUSCO has faced increasing pressure to develop a phased withdrawal plan and exit strategy from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Indeed, MONUSCO’s mandate of March 2019 requested the UN Secretary-General to provide the UN Security Council with “an independent strategic review to assess the ongoing challenges to peace and security in the DRC, and to develop a phased and comprehensive exit strategy…” ^. Anticipating the development of an exit strategy can be beneficial to peacekeeping missions, as this approach requires identifying the conditions for success and developing work plans and strategies that contribute to the desired outcome. Here, the strategic review represents an opportunity for analysis and reflection that can strengthen MONUSCO’s planning. Nevertheless, the chronology of MONUSCO’s activities and its presence in the DRC should be based on an analysis of the conflict environment, in order to ensure that the reduction of MONUSCO and its eventual withdrawal from the DRC is not premature, does not endanger civilians and does not compromise regional peace and security.

The analyses provided in this policy report are intended to inform discussions on the future of MONUSCO. First, we outline recent developments in the conflict and highlight opportunities that will impact threats to protection and MONUSCO operations. Second, we address fluctuations in MONUSCO’s budget, presence, and mobility over the past few years. This report highlights the challenges arising from MONUSCO’s attempt to reduce its field presence and conduct more mobile operations. We can learn from past experience to develop a timetable for base closures and the mission’s withdrawal. Finally, this policy report addresses several key issues that Member States, MONUSCO, and the DRC government will need to address jointly with humanitarian and development actors to facilitate the mission’s departure. * United Nations Security Council Resolution 2463, United Nations document.

See, Preparing for the Future of Peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo .