In a message posted on X on January 3, Nduhungirehe questioned MONUSCO's response to a drone strike carried out by the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) in Masisi Centre, which targeted a civilian area.
'To better understand this so-called 'condemnation,' which is remarkably mild, MONUSCO does not even mention its allies, the FARDC, as the perpetrators of this war crime against Congolese civilians in Masisi Centre,' Nduhungirehe wrote.
The drone strike, which took place on January 2, reportedly killed six civilians and injured at least 41 others.
Following the incident, MONUSCO issued a statement expressing regret and condemning attacks against civilians, including those involving drones. However, the statement stopped short of explicitly identifying FARDC as responsible for the attack.
Nduhungirehe argued that this omission raises serious questions, particularly given MONUSCO's own public disclosures regarding its cooperation with the Congolese army.
'Let us recall that on November 4, 2025, MONUSCO itself informed the public on X that it had provided training to 120 FARDC soldiers in Ituri, particularly in the use of drones and heavy weapons,' he said.
The minister's remarks add to longstanding criticism of MONUSCO's role and effectiveness in eastern DRC, where the mission has operated for more than two decades. Critics argue that despite its mandate to protect civilians, insecurity persists, with armed groups and state forces repeatedly implicated in abuses.
According to the United Nations, MONUSCO has more than 16,000 uniformed personnel deployed across the DRC. The mission's budget for the 2024/2025 financial year stood at approximately $918 million.
Despite this long-standing presence and significant financial investment, violence against civilians, particularly in eastern DRC, continues, prompting renewed scrutiny of MONUSCO's conduct, partnerships, and accountability.
IGIHE
