Security Council                                           

4894^th Meeting (PM)                                         

SECURITY COUNCIL WELCOMES STEP TOWARDS FORMATION OF NATIONAL ARMY

IN KISANGANI, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Resolution 1522 (2004) Adopted Unanimously

The Security Council this afternoon welcomed efforts currently under way to set up the first integrated and unified brigade in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo, as a step towards the formation of a Congolese national army, and adjusted one of its prior demands in order to allow the brigade to operate in that city.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1522 (2004), the Council decided that, since the Government of National Unity and Transition had been established and was in place, its demand for the demilitarization of Kisangani and its surroundings laid down in paragraph 3 of resolution 1304 (2000) did not apply to the country’s restructured and integrated forces and to the armed forces included in the comprehensive programme for the formation of an integrated and restructured national army.

In paragraph 3 of resolution 1304 (2000), the Council demanded that Ugandan and Rwandan forces, as well as forces of the Congolese armed opposition and other armed groups, immediately and completely withdraw from Kisangani, and called on all parties to the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement to respect the demilitarization of the city and its surroundings.

Further by today’s text, the Council urged the Government of National Unity and Transition to take the appropriate measures for the restructuring and integration of the country’s armed forces, in accordance with the Global and All Inclusive Agreement of 17 December 2002, and called on the international community to assist in that regard. 

The meeting began at 3:12 p.m. and adjourned at 3:15 p.m.

Council Resolution

The full text of resolution 1522 (2004) reads, as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions and statements of its President concerning the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

“Encouraged by the progress achieved in the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the conclusion of the Global and All Inclusive Agreement signed in Pretoria on 17 December 2002 and the subsequent establishment of the Government of National Unity and Transition,

“Considering that the reform of the security sector, including the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of former combatants, the effective restructuring and integration of the armed forces of the former Congolese belligerents, and the establishment of an integrated national police, are key elements for the success of the transition process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

“Reaffirming, in this regard, that overall responsibility lies with the Government of National Unity and Transition, welcoming the establishment of an integrated High Command, and calling for an effective cooperation at all levels of the Congolese armed forces,

“1.   Welcomes the efforts currently undertaken to set up the first integrated and unified brigade in Kisangani as a step towards the elaboration and implementation of a comprehensive programme for the formation of a Congolese integrated national army;

“2.   Decides that, since the Government of National Unity and Transition has been established and is in place, its demand for the demilitarization of Kisangani and its surroundings laid down in paragraph 3 of resolution 1304 (2000) shall not apply to the restructured and integrated forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to the armed forces included in the comprehensive programme for the formation of an integrated and restructured national army;

“3.   Urges the Government of National Unity and Transition to take the appropriate measures, for the restructuring and integration of the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in accordance with the Global and All Inclusive Agreement, including setting up a Supreme Defence Council and the elaboration of a national plan for DDR as well as the necessary legislative framework;

“4.   Calls upon the international community to provide further assistance for the integration and restructuring of the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in accordance with Security Council resolution 1493 (2003);

“5.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

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