Passing in front of the large yellow and blue flag painted on the stone wall of the military camp, the inhabitants of Goma, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), say they understand that Ukrainian peacekeepers are being recalled to their country, without worrying too much about the consequences of their departure. “It’s burning at home… For Ukrainians to return to defend their country, it’s normal”told AFP Rede Kibanda, 25, neighbor of the base of Ukrainian soldiers, very close to the airport, in the Bujovu district.
Tuesday, March 8, the United Nations announced that it had been informed of the intention of Ukraine, invaded by the Russian army, to repatriate its blue helmets deployed in the DRC. The Ukrainian contingent of the UN mission in the country, Monusco, has 250 soldiers, mainly in the air force, out of a total of around 15,000 soldiers for the whole force.
“The UN has received official notification of the Ukrainian government’s decision to withdraw its military contingent, including personnel, helicopters and equipment” MONUSCO, a spokesman for the UN peace operations department said in New York: “We take note of this decision and thank Ukraine for its strong contribution. »
” May God protect them ! »
On Wednesday, everything seemed calm at the base of Ukrainian soldiers in Goma, which was off limits to journalists. A MONUSCO delegation was seen entering the camp for a meeting and, according to a UN source, discussions are also underway in New York with the Ukrainian authorities. No indication was yet available on the modalities of the departure of the Ukrainian blue helmets.
“We learn that they will leave shortly, but we have no details”explains Antoine Bahati, a young courier for the Ukrainian soldiers. ” May God protect them ! »says another resident, Justin Maheshe, 29. “Because when there is war in a country, the people suffer. We too, in our country, are going through the war, but one day it will end”he hopes.
Goma is the capital of North Kivu, one of the eastern provinces of the DRC plagued by violence from dozens of armed groups for more than twenty-five years. Along with neighboring Ituri, North Kivu has been under a state of siege since May 2021, an exceptional measure which has not made it possible to put an end to the violence, any more than the presence of the UN for more than twenty years. A situation that causes some resentment among the population.
blue helmets “had come to bring peace, unfortunately for several years that they have been there, the massacres continue in our countryregrets Rede Kibanda. It happens in their presence and sometimes in front of their bases, they can leave without problem. »
To not miss any African news, subscribe to the “Monde Afrique” newsletter from this link. Every Saturday at 6 am, find a week of news and debates covered by the editorial staff of “Monde Afrique”.