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7659th Security Council Meeting: Situation in Democratic Republic of Congo
Permanent Representative Voices Regret Over Text’s Failure to Heed Recommendation on Reducing MONUSCO Force Levels
The Security Council today renewed until 31 March 2017 the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), including its Intervention Brigade, deciding to maintain its current force levels.
Unanimously adopting resolution 2277 (2016) under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council took note of the Secretary-General’s recommendation to reduce MONUSCO’s force level by 1,700 troops, taking into account the progress made in developing an exit strategy and in addressing the threat posed by armed groups.
Recalling the 2,000-troop reduction endorsed in resolution 2211 (2015), the Council reaffirmed its intention to make that downsizing permanent through a revised troop ceiling, and requested that the Secretary-General report back on that specific issue. It reiterated that any future reconfigurations of MONUSCO and its mandate should be determined in consultation with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, based on the evolution of the situation on the ground.
The Council decided that MONUSCO’s strategic priorities would contribute to the protection of civilians from violence — including gender-based violence and violence against children — and stabilization, including by supporting the creation of an environment conducive to peaceful, credible and timely elections. It requested that the Mission consider child protection and gender considerations as cross-cutting issues across its mandate, and that the Secretary-General take necessary measures to ensure MONUSCO’s full compliance with the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse. The Council urged troop-and police-contributing countries to take preventive actions and ensure full accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel.
By other terms, the Council stressed that MONUSCO’s exit should be “gradual and progressive” and tied to targets jointly developed with the Government. Specifically, it reiterated the need for a clear exit strategy for the Intervention Brigade — which, according to the text, had been extended on an exceptional basis, without creating a precedent or prejudice to the agreed principles of peacekeeping — including through progress in ending the threat posed by armed groups. The Council strongly condemned all armed groups operating in the region, demanding that they immediately end the violence, permanently disband, lay down their arms and release children from their ranks.
The Council, by further terms, called upon the Government and its national partners, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, to ensure a transparent and credible process towards holding presidential and legislative elections in November, underlining the importance of credible dialogue in that regard, and requesting that the Secretary-General provide political support.
Ignace Gata Mavita wa Lufuta (Democratic Republic of the Congo), speaking after the text’s adoption, expressed regret that it ignored several essential points, including plans to organize free elections with respect for the international standards of inclusivity, transparency and credibility. The Foreign Minister’s 23 March comments stressing the importance of peace and stability must not be interpreted as a pretext to delay elections, he emphasized. Rather, the Minister had wished to explain that the required conditions must be met to ensure that the elections were not marred by violence. The delay in the electoral process had been caused by opposition elements, which continued to block dialogue, he said, adding that the Council should have allowed the Independent National Electoral Commission to create a schedule for both the legislative and presidential elections.
Determined to secure the eastern part of the country, the Government would work to eradicate armed groups, which could only be done with the help of all countries in the region, especially those involved in that area, he said. The failure by some of them to uphold their commitments under the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region risked compromising that accord, he warned. Kinshasa was also surprised that the text made no reference to the serious situation, raised by the Group of Experts, of Burundian refugees being recruited, trained and armed by a foreign country, before being given Congolese ballot cards and inserted into the Democratic Republic of the Congo to cause trouble. Saying he did not understand the Council’s silence, he emphasized that his country would not accept to become a bastion for a new foreign armed group.
Voicing regret that the Council had not responded favourably to his country’s request that it reduce MONUSCO’s force levels, he stressed that its decision not to consider the Secretary-General’s recommendation of a 1,700-troop reduction demonstrated a lack of flexibility that could affect the Mission’s new leadership. Given its 17 years in the country, and the financial and logistical means at its disposal, MONUSCO should have achieved better results, he said, pointing out that the challenges facing it ran deep and necessitated a rethink. While the Government did not understand why the text did not reflect the progress it had made, it would continue to implement the multisectoral reforms begun decades ago, he said.
The meeting began at 10:12 a.m. and ended at 10:23 a.m.
