Security Council

5726^th Meeting (PM)

SEEKING TO STRENGTHEN SANCTIONS AGAINST DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, SECURITY

COUNCIL ADOPTS RESOLUTION 1768 (2007), EXTENDING BANS FOR JUST 10 DAYS

Once again condemning the illicit flow of weapons to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and reiterating its concern over militia activity in its eastern provinces, the Security Council this afternoon extended the arms embargo on that country, due to expire today, for another 10 days.

By the unanimous adoption of resolution 1768 (2007), the Council specified that the mechanisms it had established over the past several years to monitor and enforce the embargo be extended for the same period.

Those mechanisms include a travel ban and an assets freeze on persons determined to have violated the embargo, and a group of experts mandated to monitor violations through information provided by the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) and other means, and to recommend ways to strengthen the sanctions regime.

The Council meeting at which the resolution was adopted opened at 3:20 p.m. and closed at 3:25 p.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1768 (2007) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions, in particular resolution 1756 (2007),

“Taking note of the final report (S/2007/423) of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo established pursuant to resolution 1698 (2006),

“Condemning the continuing illicit flow of weapons within and into the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and declaring its determination to continue close monitoring of the implementation of the arms embargo imposed by resolution 1493 (2003) and expanded by resolution 1596 (2005), and to enforce the measures provided for in paragraphs 13 and 15 of resolution 1596 against persons and entities acting in violation of this embargo, as amended and expanded by resolution 1649 (2005) and resolution 1698 (2006),

“Reiterating its serious concern regarding the presence of armed groups and militias in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in the provinces of North and South Kivu and the Ituri district, which perpetuate a climate of insecurity in the whole region,

“Taking note of the report of the Security Council mission which visited Kinshasa on 20 June 2007 (S/2007/421),

“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.   Decides to extend until 10 August 2007 the measures on arms imposed by paragraph 20 of resolution 1493 (2003) as amended and expanded by paragraph 1 of resolution 1596 (2005);

“2.   Decides to extend, for the period specified in paragraph 1 above, the measures on transport imposed by paragraphs 6, 7 and 10 of resolution 1596;

“3.   Decides to extend, for the period specified in paragraph 1 above, the financial and travel measures imposed by paragraphs 13 and 15 of resolution 1596, paragraph 2 of resolution 1649 (2005), and paragraph 13 of resolution 1698;

“4.   Decides to extend, for theperiod specified in paragraph 1 above, the mandate of the Group of Experts referred to in paragraph 3 of resolution 1698;

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

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For information media • not an official record