This week the UN Security Council took an unprecedented step with regard to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
It approved the creation of a UN combat brigade with the authority to carry out “offensive operations” against armed rebel groups in eastern Congo.
In other words, UN troops will be able to act proactively to “neutralize and disarm rebels.”
As opposed to the usual UN mandate for peacekeepers to hold their fire unless they come under attack.
This new offensive brigade will be part of the existing 20,000 strong UN force in Congo known by the acronym MONUSCO.
Severine Austerre teaches African studies at Columbia University’s Barnard College.
She has conducted extensive research on peace building interventions in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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