Security Council consults on extending UN mission in DR of Congo
6 October -- Amid reports of obstacles faced by the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Security Council met in closed consultation today to discuss an extension of the UN peacekeeping mission in the country.
The Mission in the DRC has been reporting difficulties in obtaining approval from the Government to conduct flights to Mbandaka to re-supply the four UN military observers there, according to a UN spokesman. "Attempts to fly to Mbandaka were denied again today, and the observers have also faced restrictions on their activities," spokesman Fred Eckhard said.
The Council is discussing a draft resolution on extending the Mission's mandate, which is set to expire on 15 October. This morning, the Council was briefed on the situation in the DRC by the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Hédi Annabi.
In his most recent report to the Security Council on the situation in the DRC, issued late last month, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said there had been little progress, if any, in the implementation of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement. At the same time, the UN's efforts to assist the parties in implementing that Agreement have been frustrated by persistent restrictions on the Mission's freedom of movement and other obstacles. "Moreover, the Government of the DRC has recently questioned the validity of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement and has called for its revision," Mr. Annan wrote.
"It is clear that United Nations peacekeeping operations cannot serve as a substitute for the political will to achieve a peaceful settlement," the Secretary-General stressed.
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