Security Council

5610^th Meeting (AM)

SECURITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES INCREASE IN MILITARY STRENGTH OF UNITED NATIONS MISSION

IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1736 (2006)

Noting that the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region, the Security Council today authorized an increase in the military strength of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) of up to 916 military personnel, from 1 January to 15 February 2007, when the Mission’s mandate is set to expire.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1736 (2006), the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, authorized that increase to allow for the continued deployment to MONUC of the infantry battalion and the military hospital currently authorized under the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB), which is set to expire on 31 December 2006, and expressed the intention to examine the issue further before 15 February, in the context of the Secretary-General’s forthcoming proposals, with a view to ensuring that MONUC has adequate capabilities to perform its mandate.

Taking note of the Secretary-General’s recommendation in his letter dated 15 November 2006 (document S/2006/892), the Council looked forward to the Secretary-General’s proposals, after close consultations with the new Congolese authorities, regarding MONUC’s future mandate, including a review of the Mission’s military strength.

The meeting began at 11:10 a.m. and adjourned at 11:14 a.m.

Resolution

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its resolutions and the statements of its President concerning the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Burundi and in the Great Lakes region of Africa,

“Paying tribute again to the citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the remarkable commitment they have demonstrated to the democratic process,

“Taking note of the letter of the Secretary-General dated 15 November 2006 (S/2006/892), and of the recommendation it contains,

“Noting that the 50 military observers deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo under the authorized military strength of the United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB) pursuant to resolutions 1669 (2006) and 1692 (2006) have successfully performed observation tasks related to the electoral process and will be repatriated by 31 December 2006,

“Condemning the continuation of hostilities by militias and foreign armed groups in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the threat they pose to the security of civilians and to the stability of the region,

“Deploring the persistence of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular those carried out by these militias and foreign armed groups and by elements of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), and stressing the urgent need for those responsible for these crimes to be brought to justice,

“Bearing in mind that the mandates of ONUB and of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) will expire respectively on 31 December 2006 and on 15 February 2007,

“Looking forward to the Secretary-General’s proposals, after close consultations with the new Congolese authorities, regarding MONUC’s future mandate, including a review of the Mission’s military strength,

“Noting that the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.   Authorizes, from 1 January 2007until the expiry of MONUC’s current mandate on 15 February 2007,an increase in the military strength of MONUC of up to 916 military personnel, to allow for the continued deployment to MONUC of the infantry battalion and the military hospital currently authorized under the ONUB mandate and expresses its intention to examine this issue further before 15 February, in the context of the Secretary General’s forthcoming proposals, with a view to ensuring that MONUC has adequate capabilities to perform its mandate ;

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

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For information media • not an official record