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UN PhotoMONUSCO / DRC GOMA SWAN VISIT
STORY: MONUSCO / DRC GOMA SWAN VISIT
TRT: 05:58
SOURCE: MONUSCO
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: FRENCH / NATS
DATELINE: 24 APRIL 2026, GOMA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
1. Various shots, airplane, Swan’s arrival, delegations
2. Various shots, peacekeepers, delegation
3. SOUNDBITES (French) James Swan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, United Nations / Head, United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO):
“I arrived today in Goma as part of my first visit to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, nearly three weeks after assuming my duties as Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MONUSCO. This visit, like that of my Deputy Vivian Van de Perre in February, is part of an essential effort to implement the ceasefire. As you know, Goma holds a central place in the current efforts toward de-escalation, the protection of civilians, and support for ongoing peace processes. My presence here is primarily aimed at meeting our teams, listening to their analyses, engaging with the de facto authorities, and examining the practical conditions under which MONUSCO can continue to carry out its mandate in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2773 (2025) and 2808 (2025). MONUSCO is mandated to support the ceasefire through its participation in and support to the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+), whose members I will meet, along with those of the Joint Intelligence Fusion Center, during my stay. This visit comes one week after the talks held from 13 to 18 April 2026 in Montreux between representatives of the Government of the DRC and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement du 23 Mars (AFC/M23), within the framework of the Doha process, with facilitation by Qatar, the United States, and the African Union, and with Switzerland as the host country. We welcomed the progress made toward the signing of the Protocol on humanitarian access and judicial protection, and encouraged the parties to maintain their commitment in order to swiftly conclude this agreement, with a view to ending the suffering of civilian populations affected by the conflict. Furthermore, monitoring the ceasefire requires that a number of essential conditions be met to enable the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus to operate in a credible, safe, and effective manner. These conditions include the cessation of the use of offensive drones, an end to GPS signal jamming and spoofing, full freedom of movement for MONUSCO personnel and assets, as well as safe use of airports and airspace. We count on the cooperation of all belligerents to move forward swiftly in this direction. Through this visit, we hope to strengthen the momentum toward de-escalation, restore hope to the people of the region, and support the implementation of the ceasefire for lasting peace in eastern DRC. Thank you.”
4. Med shot, Swan entering in UN car
The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), James Swan, arrived today (24 Apr) in Goma to continue his visit to eastern DRC, focused on supporting ceasefire monitoring, protecting civilians, and advancing ongoing peace efforts.
The visit underscores MONUSCO’s commitment to advancing de-escalation and sustaining progress toward a durable peace.
Swan said, “My presence here is primarily aimed at meeting our teams, listening to their analyses, engaging with the de facto authorities, and examining the practical conditions under which MONUSCO can continue to carry out its mandate in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2773 (2025) and 2808 (2025).”
He continued, “MONUSCO is mandated to support the ceasefire through its participation in and support to the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus (EJVM+), whose members I will meet, along with those of the Joint Intelligence Fusion Center, during my stay. This visit comes one week after the talks held from 13 to 18 April 2026 in Montreux between representatives of the Government of the DRC and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/Mouvement du 23 Mars (AFC/M23), within the framework of the Doha process, with facilitation by Qatar, the United States, and the African Union, and with Switzerland as the host country.”
He also said, “We welcomed the progress made toward the signing of the Protocol on humanitarian access and judicial protection, and encouraged the parties to maintain their commitment in order to swiftly conclude this agreement, with a view to ending the suffering of civilian populations affected by the conflict. Furthermore, monitoring the ceasefire requires that a number of essential conditions be met to enable the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism Plus to operate in a credible, safe, and effective manner. These conditions include the cessation of the use of offensive drones, an end to GPS signal jamming and spoofing, full freedom of movement for MONUSCO personnel and assets, as well as safe use of airports and airspace.”
He concluded, “We count on the cooperation of all belligerents to move forward swiftly in this direction. Through this visit, we hope to strengthen the momentum toward de-escalation, restore hope to the people of the region, and support the implementation of the ceasefire for lasting peace in eastern DRC.”
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