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The mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) has been extended for one year, until December 20, 2025.

The resolution was voted by unanimously by the members of the UN Security Council. In addition to the mandate extension, it maintained the mission’s current troop ceiling of 11,500 military personnel, as well as retaining its key strategic priorities of protecting civilians, supporting the stabilization and strengthening of State institutions and key governance and security reforms.

It also authorized MONUSCO to use “all means at its disposal to promptly and effectively prevent armed groups’ attacks against civilians”.

The resolution also emphasized on a specific strategy to the mission’s “gradual, responsible and sustainable withdrawal” in light of ever-changing conflict dynamics and protection risks in hotspot areas across North Kivu and Ituri Provinces.

MONUSCO had completed its first phase of withdrawal from South Kivu in June following a request by President Felix Tshisekedi last year to fast-track the process. However, in July, the Congolese government and MONUSCO said the mission will pause its withdrawal. No timeline was set for the next phase.

DR Congo’s ambassador to the United Nations, Zenon Mukongo Ngay, said an upsurge in clashes in the eastern region meant the second phase of withdrawal would be undertaken when conditions allowed.