Bintou Keita has stepped down as the United Nations Special Representative in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and head of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), nearly five years into her tenure.
The Guinean diplomat departed Kinshasa on Sunday, according to a UN press release. Her early departure, originally scheduled for February 2026, was described as a personal decision.
MONUSCO praised Keita for her “dedication, leadership and exemplary professionalism” during her time at the mission.
Keita was appointed to lead MONUSCO in January 2021, succeeding Algeria’s Leila Zerrougui. She became the second woman—and the first from sub-Saharan Africa—to head the peacekeeping mission in Congo.
Her tenure was marked by multiple crises. Soon after her appointment, she coordinated the response to the eruption of the Nyiragongo volcano near Goma, which killed at least 32 people and forced over 400,000 to evacuate.
In 2022, MONUSCO faced widespread protests in Goma, Beni, and Butembo over insecurity and perceived inaction by the UN, resulting in at least 36 deaths, including four UN peacekeepers.
In the past year, Keita also navigated renewed violence from the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which seized Goma and Bukavu in early 2025.
In June, she engaged in direct talks with M23 representatives in Goma, an effort MONUSCO described as a “rare dialogue approach with the rebels.”
Keita’s deputy, Bruno Lemarquis, will serve as interim head until December 28, when Vivian van de Perre, MONUSCO’s deputy in charge of protection and operations, will assume leadership.
