Bintou Keita’s mandate as head of MONUSCO was supposed to end in February 2026. Yet she is expected to step down before the end of this year. The official reason given for her departure is the anticipated change in MONUSCO’s own mandate, possibly shifting from a peacekeeping to a humanitarian mission, and its phased withdrawal amid UN budget cuts.
However, informed UN sources say the real reasons behind her exit are very different. Keita has been under investigation for her alleged ties to the Kinshasa regime, which is notorious for bribing politicians (including in France and Belgium), key officials within the African Union, and even journalists and self-appointed activists as well as Western human rights groups.
The findings of this internal probe, reportedly detailing Keita’s dealings with Kinshasa, have been submitted to the UN Secretary-General and are said to be serious enough to trigger a swift leadership change at the top of the UN mission. Even Keita’s career within the UN is now in jeopardy.
The probe, which began at the end of 2023, was prompted by a pattern of misleading reports that drew the attention of the UN Secretariat. Throughout the conflict in the DRC, Keita’s briefings before the Security Council often contradicted both the findings of the UN Group of Experts and independent reports from journalists on the ground.
Of particular concern to the Secretariat was Keita’s presentation before the Council in December 2023, in which she blamed the M23 for insecurity in North Kivu, despite the group’s compliance with EAC demands and its withdrawal from several positions. What raised further suspicion was that the UN Group of Experts had not accused M23 of any crimes during that period.
It became clear during her submission before the council that Keita deliberately refused to report the fact that that the regime had breached the EAC-brokered ceasefire by attacking positions previously vacated by M23 and placed under EAC supervision.
Kinshasa had defied the peace process by targeting civilian areas, worsening the refugee crisis, yet Keita remained silent on all of it.
Later in 2025 after the fall of Goma, Keita also lamented the closure of refugee camps around the city, where countless women and girls had been raped or sexually exploited. Her latest visit to the city, and her meeting with AFC/M23 leaders, sealed her fate.
Despite the photo opportunities, it became evident that she could no longer be trusted to work with the new authorities controlling the town. She had come to demand the reopening of the airport, but was bluntly told that MONUSCO was no longer in charge.
Sources close to the investigation say no legal action is planned, as the UN wishes to avoid a scandal that could further embolden the Trump administration’s calls to shut down peacekeeping missions.
Keita’s legacy is one of disgrace.
In the DRC, she will not be missed, except by the corrupt Tshisekedist regime.