The United Nations has had a continuous peacekeeping presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1999. The United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) was reconfigured in 2010 as a stabilization mission, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Throughout, the Mission’s mandate has been to advance peace consolidation and stabilization by supporting security sector reform, elections and the extension of State authority. Operating in often inaccessible territory and a complex political and military environment, the Mission has deployed up to 27,000 troops and staff at a time and has one of the largest air fleets in peacekeeping history. Its cumulative nominal cost exceeds US$ 11.5 billion. Protection of civilians remains its highest priority and its greatest challenge.
