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UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

DRC: UN extends mandate of peacekeeping mission

NAIROBI, 27 June 2003 (IRIN) - "Deeply concerned" at the fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the UN Security Council announced on Thursday a month’s extension of the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in the country, known as MONUC.

UN News reported that the decision to extend the mandate until 30 July was taken unanimously by the 15 nations on the council, which also "took note" of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s recent report on the situation in the Congo.

In his report, UN News said, Annan recommended that the mission’s mandate be extended for a full year until June 2004 and its military strength be increased “to nearly 11,000” from its present 8,700.

"He also recommended that the possibility of imposing an arms embargo be considered in war-ravaged Ituri District as well as the Kivus," UN News reported.

It said he also suggested the possibility of an arms embargo on Ituri and North Kivu, where in the latter locating fighting is between rival rebel groups, the Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie-Kisangani-Mouvement de liberation and the RCD-Goma.

The Security Council authorised on 30 May the deployment of a 1,500-strong multinational emergency force to Bunia, the main town in Ituri. The French-led mission is to secure Bunia; and to protect its tiny airport, UN staff, humanitarian workers and internally displaced people in camps in the town.

When its mandate ends 1 September a UN Banglasdeshi contingent is due to reinforce the small MONUC force in the town, which has been the scene of fighting since 7 May between the Lendu and Hema militias.

Theme(s): (IRIN) Conflict

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