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UN PhotoDRC / LACROIX VISIT
STORY: DRC / LACROIX VISIT
TRT: 04:00
SOURCE: MONUSCO
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: FRENCH / NATS
DATELINE: 9, 10 FEBRUARY 2026, KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
10 FEBRUARY 2026, KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
1. Wide shot, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and delegation arrival at the Senate
2. Wide shot, Lacroix saluting police formation
3. Various shots, Lacroix meeting Senate President Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge
4. Various shots, delegations sit down for a meeting
5. SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“We have sent a very clear message that MONUSCO is ready to do whatever is necessary to support the implementation of the commitments made by the parties in Washington, in Doha, particularly regarding the implementation of the ceasefire. The implementation of the ceasefire naturally depends on the parties, but MONUSCO has a role mandated by the Security Council to support their efforts.”
6. SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“MONUSCO is there, along with others. Moreover, with all the stakeholders involved in peace efforts, the international partners who are engaged in these efforts. It is there to support the implementation of these commitments and the implementation of the ceasefire. It is not up to us, it is not MONUSCO that can create a ceasefire or impose a ceasefire. Certainly not. But we are determined, and we are also mandated to do so, to support the commitment, the implementation of the commitments, and the implementation of the ceasefire.”
9 FEBRUARY 2026, KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
7. Wide shot, exterior Prime Minister's Office
8. Wide shot, Lacroix speaking
9. SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“The return of the state's presence to all sites in Congo, and particularly at first where the M23 has withdrawn, is absolutely fundamental. Members of the government are working on it and have told us about the efforts being made in this area. And of course, it is something that is extremely important, and we fully support it.”
10. Various shots, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa greeting Lacroix and delegation
11. SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“MONUSCO has a responsibility to help maintain what I wouldn’t necessarily call a ceasefire, but at least some sort of status quo, and MONUSCO, as quickly as possible, should play its role, that is to say, contribute to the fullest extent possible to preserving a situation of, I would say, absence of combat and ensure that this situation of absence of combat can benefit the population, both through the return of refugees and everything that could be done in terms of humanitarian aid.”
12. Various shots, meeting
13. SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“It is essential not only to continue, but even to strengthen and intensify diplomatic efforts, building on the achievements of the Washington Agreement, the efforts of the African Union, and the Great Lakes Community. But we must go further to ensure genuine implementation, genuine respect for the commitments made, and true enforcement of the ceasefire. And of course, MONUSCO will be ready to play its full role in contributing to the monitoring of these ceasefires. All parties must commit, and not just commit, but actively work towards a ceasefire and respect it.”
14. Wide shot, meeting
Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, paid an official visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, focusing on the security crisis and the monitoring of the ceasefire.
His visit began in Kinshasa with high-level talks with the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, and the President of the Senate. These discussions addressed MONUSCO's role in upholding the ceasefire, in accordance with Security Council resolutions, as well as the Mission's support to the Congolese authorities for the stabilization of the East and the protection of civilians.
SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“We have sent a very clear message that MONUSCO is ready to do whatever is necessary to support the implementation of the commitments made by the parties in Washington, in Doha, particularly regarding the implementation of the ceasefire. The implementation of the ceasefire naturally depends on the parties, but MONUSCO has a role mandated by the Security Council to support their efforts.”
SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“MONUSCO is there, along with others. Moreover, with all the stakeholders involved in peace efforts, the international partners who are engaged in these efforts. It is there to support the implementation of these commitments and the implementation of the ceasefire. It is not up to us, it is not MONUSCO that can create a ceasefire or impose a ceasefire. Certainly not. But we are determined, and we are also mandated to do so, to support the commitment, the implementation of the commitments, and the implementation of the ceasefire.”
During these discussions, Lacroix commended the commitment of the national security forces and international partners.
SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“The return of the state's presence to all sites in Congo, and particularly at first where the M23 has withdrawn, is absolutely fundamental. Members of the government are working on it and have told us about the efforts being made in this area. And of course, it is something that is extremely important, and we fully support it.”
He also reaffirmed the United Nations' support for diplomatic and regional initiatives aimed at defusing tensions and fostering constructive dialogue.
SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“MONUSCO has a responsibility to help maintain what I wouldn’t necessarily call a ceasefire, but at least some sort of status quo, and MONUSCO, as quickly as possible, should play its role, that is to say, contribute to the fullest extent possible to preserving a situation of, I would say, absence of combat and ensure that this situation of absence of combat can benefit the population, both through the return of refugees and everything that could be done in terms of humanitarian aid.”
Lacroix highlighted the convergence of views between the UN and the Congolese authorities to guarantee effective protection of the population and achieve a lasting peaceful solution.
SOUNDBITE (French) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“It is essential not only to continue, but even to strengthen and intensify diplomatic efforts, building on the achievements of the Washington Agreement, the efforts of the African Union, and the Great Lakes Community. But we must go further to ensure genuine implementation, genuine respect for the commitments made, and true enforcement of the ceasefire. And of course, MONUSCO will be ready to play its full role in contributing to the monitoring of these ceasefires. All parties must commit, and not just commit, but actively work towards a ceasefire and respect it.”
