Nickson Bondo

An Assessment of Civil-Military Cooperation in Protecting Civilians Nickson Bondo

This book assesses the impact of civil-military cooperation in protecting civilian populations in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It reveals opportunities and challenges of the cooperation between United Nations Peacekeeping and Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) and several humanitarian organizations working to provide humanitarian assistance and protect civilian populations in the DRC. While a few humanitarian NGOs have expressed concerns regarding the violation of humanitarian principles, the majority of humanitarian agencies and NGOs working in the Eastern DRC are in favor of this UN Comprehensive Integrated Approach, and even call for more integration. Humanitarian organizations have no choice but to relay on the joint FARDC-MONUSCO IFB military forces to have access to civilians in need of assistance in high risk security zones. In the worst case scenario, humanitarian organizations have found themselves no longer impartial and independent but forced to negotiate with leaders of rebel groups such as the CNDD, M23 and local militias in a bid to alleviate the suffering in areas not under the control of UN and governmental forces.