Dhendro: Under the blistering heat of the sun in the Democratic Republic of Congo, many farmers working their land in the volatile eastern region are accompanied by United Nations peacekeepers. The U.N. mission, which has been under increasing criticism, is tasked with overseeing the ongoing conflict between rebel groups, self-defense militias, and other armed factions in the area.

However, in the village of Dhendro, located in Djugu territory, the farmers remain steadfast in their support of the U.N. peacekeeping force, known as MONUSCO. Many of these farmers, displaced by the conflict, now reside in camps near U.N. bases.

"I came here because MONUSCO is here," 23-year-old Lokana Heritier, who relocated to be closer to the peacekeepers, told Reuters. "Thanks to their presence, I'm able to work in the fields. Without them, I'd be too afraid."

MONUSCO has been deployed in the region since 2010, taking over from a previous U.N. operation aimed at stabilizing eastern Congo, a region that borders Rwanda and has long been plagued by violence. The mission includes an initiative called "Secure Harvest," which is designed to protect farmers as they grow crops like corn, beans, potatoes, and manioc. The program's goal is to ensure that farmers can work without fear of militia groups who often steal their harvests and commit violent acts against them.

"The primary goal is to secure the farmers while they work in their fields. This directly supports our broader mission of protecting civilians," said Brigadier General Monzurul Alam in an interview with Reuters.

In 2023, the U.N. Security Council approved the end of MONUSCO's mission at the request of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi. The 13,500-strong peacekeeping force had been facing growing criticism, attacks, and protests over claims that it had failed to adequately protect the local population.

However, in July, the Congolese government reversed its decision, requesting that MONUSCO remain in the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu until certain conditions for withdrawal were met, though no specifics were provided.