Security Council Committee on Democratic Republic of Congo Meets with Group of Experts, 7 September

On 7 September 2017, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo met with the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, whose mandate was extended on 21 June 2017 to 1 August 2018 pursuant to resolution 2360 (2017).

During the meeting, the Group of Experts presented its programme of work for the current mandate to the members of the Committee.  The Group noted its intention to focus on the activities of armed groups such as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), the National Council for Renewal and Democracy (CNRD), the Nduma Defence of Congo-Renové (NDC-R) and the Mai Mai Yakutumba.  The Group also aimed at investigating the involvement of armed groups and other criminal networks in the exploitation and trade of gold and tin-based (stanniferous) minerals; the trafficking of arms to armed groups; and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.  Finally, the Group stated that the March 2017 murder of two of its members during the previous mandate was a reminder of the volatility of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, stressing the need to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Committee members welcomed the briefing and expressed their support for the planned programme of work presented by the Group.  They expressed concern over the continued violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the dire humanitarian situation in the country, as well as violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including acts of sexual violence and abuse.