DRC: New MONUSCO chief visits Beni to assess security

James Swan, the new head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, visited Beni in North Kivu on April 20 in his first field mission since taking office.

Local and UN reporting said Swan met the North Kivu provincial governor and other local actors during the trip, which centered on the security situation in eastern DRC.

Swan reiterated that civilian protection remains central to MONUSCO’s mandate, according to Radio Okapi’s report published on April 21. MediaCongo also reported that the visit was part of a wider eastern DRC tour focused on dialogue and security.

Beni has long been affected by attacks linked to ADF-aligned armed violence, making the city a continuing concern for the UN mission and local authorities.

The visit comes after the UN announced Swan’s appointment as MONUSCO special representative on March 6 and after he arrived in Kinshasa on April 7 to take up his post.

What happens next

Swan’s itinerary beyond Beni has not been fully detailed in the available reporting, and MONUSCO may still release a fuller account of the trip and any follow-up engagements.