MONUSCO Head James Swan arrives in Goma

The head of the United Nations Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), American James Swan, arrived in the city of Goma on Friday, April 24, 2026. This is the second UN flight to leave Goma since the city was captured by the AFC/M23 more than a year ago.

James Swan said he came to observe the implementation of the ceasefire between the AFC/M23 and the Congolese government forces, as well as to observe the working atmosphere of UN personnel. He first traveled to other parts of the eastern DRC, including Ituri and Beni, before arriving in Goma.

He said, "The first thing I will do here is to meet with our staff to tell us about the current situation as MONUSCO continues to carry out its responsibilities as stipulated in the resolution that established it." He stressed that pursuing a ceasefire requires a good atmosphere that allows joint operations to be carried out in a secure manner.

James Swan called for an end to the use of drones, which often carry out deadly attacks on civilians, an end to GPS jamming, which is often blamed on the AFC/M23, and full freedom of movement for MONUSCO personnel and equipment. He also called for the use of airports and airspace for security purposes.

The Head of MONUSCO is expected to meet and discuss with senior political leaders of the AFC/M23 Movement to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire and the functioning of the UN in the area.

This visit demonstrates that MONUSCO continues to monitor the progress of its operations in Goma, while security remains fragile in eastern RDC

In kinyanarwanda

Umuyobozi wa MONUSCO James Swan yageze i Goma

Umuyobozi w’Ubutumwa bw’Umuryango w’Abibumbye muri RDC (MONUSCO), Umunyamerika James Swan, yageze mu Mujyi wa Goma kuri uyu wa Gatanu tariki ya 24 Mata 2026. Iyi ndege ya LONI ni iya kabiri ihagurutse i Goma kuva uyu mujyi wafatwa na AFC/M23 umaze umwaka urenga.

James Swan yavuze ko yaje kureba ishyirwa mu bikorwa ry’agahenge k’imirwano hagati ya AFC/M23 n’ingabo za Leta ya Congo, ndetse no kureba umwuka abakozi ba LONI bakoreramo. Yabanje kunyura mu bindi bice byo mu Burasirazuba bwa RDC birimo Ituri na Beni mbere yo kugera i Goma.

Yagize ati “Icya mbere kingenza hano ni uguhura n’abakozi bacu ngo batubwire uko umwuka umeze mu gihe MONUSCO ikomeje gukora inshingano zayo nk’uko ziri mu mwanzuro wayishyizeho.” Yashimangiye ko gukurikirana agahenge bisaba umwuka mwiza utuma ibikorwa bihuriweho bikorwa mu mutekano

James Swan yasabye guhagarika ikoreshwa rya _drones_ zigaba ibitero kenshi byica abasivili, guhagarika kuyobya iyoboranzira rya GPS bikunze gushinjwa AFC/M23, no guha ubwisanzure bwuzuye abakozi n’ibikoresho bya MONUSCO. Yanasabye ko ibibuga by’indege n’ikirere bikoreshwa mu mutekano.

Umuyobozi wa MONUSCO biteganyijwe ko azahura akaganira n’abayobozi bakuru mu nzego za politiki z’Umutwe wa AFC/M23 kugira ngo baganire ku ishyirwa mu bikorwa ry’agahenge n’imikorere ya LONI muri kariya gace.

Uru rugendo rugaragaza ko MONUSCO ikomeje gukurikirana uko ibikorwa byayo bigenze muri Goma, mu gihe umutekano ukiri muke mu Burasirazuba bwa RDC.