Resolution 2808 (2025) renews the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) until December 20, 2026, with an authorized personnel ceiling of 11,500 military personnel, 600 military observers and staff officers, 443 police officers, and 1,270 members of formed police units.
MONUSCO’s primary operations remain in North Kivu and Ituri, and any deployment for ceasefire monitoring in South Kivu requires security conditions and prior Council notification.
The mission’s force intervention brigade was exceptionally renewed, with the Council noting a precedent. Established in 2013, this specialized force is tasked with disrupting and disarming armed groups.
The resolution highlights a “rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian crisis” in eastern DRC due to the M23 armed group’s offensive in North Kivu and South Kivu, allegedly supported by the Rwandan Defense Forces.
It condemns the group’s capture of Uvira, a strategic town in South Kivu, warning of potential regional destabilization.
What MONUSCO is responsible for:
- Protecting civilians under threat through proactive measures, early warning, community engagement, and local mediation.
- Using “all necessary measures” to prevent, deter, and stop attacks on civilians, including around displacement and refugee sites.
- Neutralizing armed groups via the Force Intervention Brigade’s offensive operations.
- Supporting a permanent ceasefire, including implementing and monitoring the Doha Ceasefire Monitoring and Verification Mechanism and supporting regional verification efforts.
- Assisting in disarmament, demobilization, reintegration, security sector reform, and monitoring violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
- Monitoring the arms embargo, observing, and reporting cross-border flows to the Group of Experts established by resolution 1533.
Read the full text of the resolution here.
National Perspectives:
France, the file handler, said the council negotiated the project under “unusual circumstances” given the ongoing M23 offensive in South Kivu.
Ambassador Jérôme Bonnafont emphasized the seriousness, urging all parties to honor commitments for lasting peace in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region.
The United States criticized disrupted negotiations by M23 advances, supported by the Rwandan Defense Forces, urging Doha commitments compliance.
Jennifer Locetta called for an immediate M23 withdrawal of at least 75 km from Uvira.
China and Russia, while supporting the renewal, warned against mission politicization and stressed difficult compromises.
Sun Lei, China’s representative, stressed respecting the operation’s “independence, neutrality, and authority,” supporting DRC’s sovereignty, and urging peace-focused international involvement without exploiting regional situations.
Russia’s Anna Evstigneeva anticipated detailed MONUSCO role proposals by March 1, 2026, urging all parties to honor Council resolutions for regional benefit.
Broadcast of the Security Council meeting.
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