Bye Bye, Monusco?

© Al Jazeera / Moses Sawasawa / AP Photo

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Goma — In the unrest-ridden northeastern area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at least 15 people have been murdered on the second day of anti-United Nations rallies, in attacks that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres suggested may have been "war crimes."

Crowds protested against the United Nations mission in the country, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), on Monday in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. They claim that MONUSCO has failed to put an end to decades-long fighting between armed groups.

On Tuesday, protests moved further north to the towns of Beni and Butembo. Goma saw five fatalities and around 50 injuries, according to government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya. According to Colonel Paul Ngoma, the head of the local police force, seven people died in Butembo. The UN mission stated in a statement that two UN police officers and one peacekeeper were also slain in Butembo.

One of the largest peacekeeping missions in the world is MONUSCO. However, it has frequently faced criticism in the turbulent east, where many claim it has not done enough to put a stop to years of bloodshed. The unstable area, where mass killings of civilians are frequent and war has driven millions of people from their homes, is home to more than 120 armed factions.

Ahead of Monday’s protest, the Goma youth branch of the ruling UDPS party released a statement demanding MONUSCO “withdraw from Congolese soil without conditions because it has already proved its incapacity to provide us with protection.”

Probably, this cruel event will draw international attention to the UN missions all around the world. Will it be the end of the UN's before undeniable reputation? Or can this clash between local and global lead to any positive outcome and reconciliation?