Africa-Press. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, has continued his visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo since February 9. The trip adds to a series of visits since 2023, amid a deepening security and political crisis, particularly in the east where M23 rebels maintain control while the government in Kinshasa struggles to reassert authority.
On the first day of his stay in Kinshasa, Lacroix met representatives of major opposition parties. They presented their assessment of the security and political situation and urged the United Nations to pressure President Félix Tshisekedi to take urgent steps to ease political tensions.
Jean-Baptiste Kasekwa, deputy leader of the ECiDé party, argued that international initiatives such as the Doha and Washington tracks do not address all root causes of the crisis. He called for an inclusive national dialogue and stronger pressure on the M23 movement.
The opposition also demanded urgent action by the UN mission in Uvira to enforce the ceasefire and replicate such efforts in other threatened areas, while calling for serious measures against attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces.
Questions remain about the effectiveness of repeated UN visits, with some observers suggesting they reflect symbolic engagement rather than decisive action. Amid stalled dialogue, declining trust, and ongoing violations, the future of the crisis in eastern Congo remains uncertain.
