The United Nations’ peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has officially launched a surveillance drone in the northeast part of the country to end insurgency by the surrendered M-23 rebels’ movement.
This is the first time the United Nations is launching drones in Africa and the drones are exclusively equipped for reconnaissance flights which will help the United Nations to watch over the North Kivu province which rich in minerals but home to the M-23 rebels movement.
The Italian-made drone was launched at 12:01 pm local time (1001 GMT) from the airport in Goma, capital of North Kivu province, in the presence of UN peacekeeping chief in charge of operations Herve Ladsous.
Herve Ladsous said if they were successful in DR Congo, they could also be used in other UN peacekeeping missions.
“The drones would be the tool of choice to monitor the activities of armed groups and the movement of civilians, we need to get a better picture of what is happening, if it is successful, then, we would use it in other places too” he said.
The United Nations mission in the DR Congo, MONUSCO is reportedly to be having two of the drones already.
In the longer term, MONUSCO is due to be equipped with five drones built by Selex ES, a subsidiary of the Italian aeronautical and defence firm Finmeccanica which built this launched drone.
Local reporters also say the aircraft will also be used to survey the porous borders between the North Kivu Province, Rwanda and Uganda to prevent the two countries from providing support to the M-23 rebels.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has for long blamed Rwanda and Uganda for providing support to the M-23 rebels but both countries have categorically denied the allegation.
Congolese Defence Minister Alexandre Luba Ntambo said the drones will help the army against rebel groups.
“Once we know exactly where they are hiding, our operations will be much more efficient,” he said.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is on its way to see peace after the M-23 rebels surrendered last month and intense operations by the United Nations.
Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa News
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