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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

DRC: UN Secretary-General recommends one-year extension for MONUC

NAIROBI, 3 June 2003 (IRIN) - UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has recommended a one-year extension of the mandate for the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MONUC. If accepted by the UN Security Council, the mandate would run until 30 June 2004.

Annan's recommendation was contained in a new report published on Monday in New York. He also called for an increase in MONUC's authorised military strength from 8,700 to 10,800, the UN News Service reported.

In addition, Annan recommended that the strength of the civilian police personnel be increased to 134 from the current 100. He added that between six and 48 additional officers may be needed depending on training requirements.

UN News reported that MONUC's immediate priorities would include helping parties establish the transitional government and helping and sustaining peace initiatives in the troubled Ituri District. Annan said that an increase of the specialised personnel to support these operations would also be needed.

"The magnitude of the challenges should not be underestimated," he said.

While welcoming the recent withdrawal of Ugandan troops from Ituri, Annan said that Kampala and other actors "must recognise their accountability for the actions of the armed groups they helped create".

As such, he said, they "must stop" supplying these groups with arms, refuge and other support.

Annan recommended the possibility of imposing an arms embargo in Ituri and North and South Kivu provinces.

His recommendations come on the heels of a Security Council approval on Friday for the deployment of an emergency multinational military force for Bunia, the principal town in Ituri. The French-led force would operate under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter that authorises the use of military force in response to "any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression".

France has agreed to lead the force and provide 700, of the 1,400 troops whose operation will end 1 September. Calling for the rapid deployment of the force, the Washington DC-based NGO Refugees International suggested on Monday measures to help bring peace to Ituri.

Refugees International said UN members states should respond "fully and immediately" to the Security Council's call for additional troops for MONUC and the French-led multinational force. The NGO said the multinational force should deploy immediately "and enforce its mandate to impose peace" in the region. In addition, the NGO said that MONUC troops should "respond aggressively" under Chapter Seven rules to protect MONUC personnel, missions, and the civilian population.

Refugees International called for the installation of UN-sponsored Radio Okapi in Ituri to provide news and information to the public and counter the threats and the hate propaganda of armed groups. Also, it said the United States and other nations should call on Rwanda and Uganda "to cease all support to armed groups and militias in DRC and take appropriate actions for failure to comply.

Theme(s): (IRIN) Conflict

[ENDS]

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