MONUSCO Interim Chief Arrives in Goma as Tshisekedi’s Past Patterns Raise Questions Over Ceasefire Implementation

Vivian van de Perre, MONUSCO’s interim Head of Mission at Goma airport

GOMA, Democratic Republic of the Congo — Vivian van de Perre, MONUSCO’s interim Head of Mission, arrived at Goma Airport on the morning of Thursday, February 12, 2026, to advance preparations for ceasefire monitoring and verification in eastern DRC. Speaking on arrival, van de Perre noted that she was on the first aircraft to land at the airport since January 2025, marking a potential step toward the airport’s gradual reopening for the benefit of local populations.

“On 26 January 2025, I was on the last plane to land at Goma Airport. Today, I am on the first aircraft to land here again,” Vivian van de Perre said. “I hope this marks the beginning of the airport’s gradual reopening, for the benefit of the population.”

The visit follows consultations with Congolese national authorities and is part of MONUSCO’s mandate to support ongoing peace processes in the region, including operationalizing the ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism. During her stay, the interim Head of Mission is scheduled to engage with relevant counterparts and stakeholders to advance practical arrangements for enforcing the ceasefire.

Eastern DRC has witnessed a series of ceasefire agreements in recent years. In 2024, the United States brokered a humanitarian truce between July 4 and August 3, while Rwanda and the DRC signed a ceasefire agreement in Luanda on July 31, effective August 4. In 2025, at least six additional peace agreements or ceasefire declarations were signed, including agreements under the Washington and Doha frameworks. Despite these efforts, ongoing military operations by the Tshisekedi regime and its allies and airstrikes on both AFC-M23 positions and civilian areas have repeatedly undermined implementation.

Since January 22, 2026, civilian populations in Minembwe and the Haux Plateau have faced a significant escalation of the DRC government military operations. Reports include attack drones, operated by foreign mercenaries, striking densely populated areas and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and churches. More than 100 civilians have been killed and over 350 injured including women and children, with massive destruction of homes and social infrastructure; thousands have been forcibly displaced, with others facing a total humanitarian blockade with no access to medical care, acute food insecurity, exposure to disease and famine, and a complete shutdown of internet and telephone communications. This has happened across multiple locations including Minembwe, Twangiza, Rwitsankuku, Katogota, Sange, the Port of Kalundu, and other parts of eastern DRC.

While MONUSCO’s engagement and the repeated signing of peace agreements are positive steps, lasting peace will remain out of reach as long as there is no political will from Kinshasa to end its airstrikes and artillery attacks. As long as President Tshisekedi remains focused on an improbable military solution, and as long as the international community continues to turn a blind eye to Kinshasa’s unilateral actions in violation of multiple agreements, its persecution of Congolese Tutsi communities, its illegal use of foreign mercenaries and lack of accountability for violations of International Humanitarian Law, these diplomatic and monitoring efforts risk being rendered null and void.