In the conflict-ridden eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, farmers working under the blazing sun are guarded by United Nations peacekeepers as they tend their fields.
The U.N. mission, known as MONUSCO, has faced growing criticism over the years for its perceived inability to quell violence in the region. However, in Dhendro, a village in Djugu territory, the presence of U.N. peacekeepers is a lifeline for farmers displaced by ongoing conflict.
“I came here because of MONUSCO’s presence. It’s thanks to them that I can work in the fields; otherwise, I’d be too afraid,” said Lokana Heritier, a 23-year-old farmer who relocated closer to the U.N. base for safety.
Since 2010, MONUSCO has been deployed in Congo to address the turmoil in the eastern provinces, bordering Rwanda. In Dhendro, their operation, dubbed “Secure Harvest,” protects farmers growing corn, beans, potatoes, and manioc from armed militias that threaten their lives and livelihoods.
“The main objective is to secure the farmers while they work in their fields. This directly aligns with MONUSCO’s civilian protection mandate,” Brigadier General Monzurul Alam told Reuters.
Despite these efforts, MONUSCO has faced protests and violent attacks over its perceived ineffectiveness. Last year, the U.N. Security Council approved the mission’s withdrawal at the request of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi.
However, in July, the Congolese government reversed its stance, requesting MONUSCO to remain in the Ituri and North Kivu provinces until conditions for a safe exit are met. No specific timeline has been provided.
For now, the peacekeepers’ presence offers a semblance of stability for farmers in Dhendro, allowing them to rebuild their lives amid a landscape of persistent insecurity.