Security Council, in Statement, Calls on Democratic Republic of Congo to Pave Path towards Peaceful Elections, Temper Political Tensions, Neutralize Armed Groups
The Security Council today urged the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and all relevant parties to ensure an environment conducive to the holding of free, fair, credible, inclusive, transparent, peaceful and timely presidential and legislative elections by November 2016.
Through a statement issued by Matthew Rycroft of the United Kingdom, whose country holds the Council’s rotating presidency for November, the 15-member body noted some progress in the situation in the eastern region while highlighting deep concerns, among them the increasing political tensions and persistent high level of violence and violations of human rights and international law. The Council also remained deeply concerned over the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis due to destabilizing activities of foreign and domestic armed groups.
Regarding the suspended joint offensive operations of [Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic] FARDC and the Intervention Brigade of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), the Council called for the immediate resumption of their full cooperation to neutralize armed groups, particularly the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
Stressing the need to fast-track the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement and the Nairobi Declarations, both adopted in 2013, the Council called on all parties, including the ex-M23 leadership, to fully cooperate to expedite the repatriation and reintegration of remaining ex-M23 combatants in Uganda and Rwanda. The Council also called on the Government to continue its efforts toward combating impunity for sexual violence and violations against children.
The meeting began at 11:34 a.m. and ended at 11:36 a.m.
Presidential Statement
The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2015/20 reads as follows:
“The Security Council welcomes the appointment of Maman S. Sidikou as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), and assures him of its full support. The Security Council commends his predecessor Martin Kobler for his engagement and important contribution for the past two years in supporting the implementation of the MONUSCO mandate.
“The Security Council notes some progress was made with respect to the security situation in eastern DRC over the last fourteen years but remains deeply concerned over the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis due to ongoing destabilizing activity of foreign and domestic armed groups. The Security Council stresses once again the utmost importance of neutralizing, once and for all, armed groups in the DRC, in particular the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) as well as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the Front for Patriotic Resistance of Ituri (FRPI) and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), and reiterates the importance of the extension of state authority over territory vacated by armed groups and of the effective disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants.
“The Security Council acknowledges the importance of joint operations and notes with concern that joint offensive operations between FARDC and the Intervention Brigade in cooperation with the whole of MONUSCO have yet to resume. The Security Council calls for the immediate resumption of full cooperation in order to jointly neutralize armed groups in the DRC, in particular the FDLR, as mandated by its resolution 2211.
“The Security Council reiterates its concern at the slow pace of implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement for DRC and the Region signed in Addis Ababa in February 2013, and of the Nairobi Declarations of December 2013, and calls on all parties, including the ex-M23 leadership, to fully cooperate to expedite the repatriation and reintegration of remaining ex-M23 combatants in Uganda and Rwanda and to participate in the follow-up mechanisms for the implementation of the Nairobi Declarations.
“The Security Council remains deeply concerned by persistent high levels of violence and violations and abuses of human rights and international law, especially in eastern DRC. The Security Council condemns in particular such violations and abuses involving targeted attacks against civilians, widespread sexual and gender-based violence, systematic recruitment and use of children by armed groups, forced displacement of significant numbers of civilians, extrajudicial executions and arbitrary arrests. The Security Council acknowledges the progress made by the Government of the DRC in the implementation of the action plans to prevent and end the recruitment and use of children as well as sexual violence by the FARDC, and calls on the Government to continue its efforts, with the support of MONUSCO, towards their full implementation, including combating impunity for sexual violence and violations against children. The Security Council urges the Government of the DRC to continue its efforts to bring to justice and hold accountable those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law or violations and abuses of human rights, as applicable, in particular those that may amount to genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“The Security Council calls on the Government of the DRC and its national partners to ensure the successful and timely holding of elections, in particular presidential and legislative elections by November 2016, in accordance with the Constitution, while respecting the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. The Security Council reiterates its concern over the increasing political tensions in the DRC and urges the Government as well as all relevant parties to ensure an environment conducive to a free, fair, credible, inclusive, transparent, peaceful and timely electoral process, in accordance with the Congolese Constitution, which will contribute to the long-term stability and development of the DRC.
“The Security Council takes note with encouragement of the Government of the DRC’s stated commitment to engage fully in the strategic dialogue with MONUSCO consistent with resolution 2211 (2015) and looks forward to the quick resumption of talks. The Security Council reiterates its full support to MONUSCO and calls on all parties to cooperate fully with the mission and to remain committed to the full and objective implementation of the mission’s mandate. The Security Council expresses its full support to incoming SRSG Sidikou to that end.”