Adopting Resolution 2746 (2024), Security Council Authorizes UN Operation in Democratic Republic of Congo to Support Southern African Development Community Mission in Country
The Security Council today authorized the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to provide operational, technical and logistical assistance to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the country.
Unanimously adopting resolution 2746 (2024) (to be issued as document S/RES/2746(2024)), the Council authorized MONUSCO to support the SADC Mission through enhanced coordination, information-sharing, technical assistance and use of MONUSCO’s logistical assets and military capabilities, within the area of the Mission’s deployment and existing resource, to further its mandate, with due consideration for the safety and security of UN personnel.
This support includes providing technical assistance for the protection of civilians, the prevention of conflict-related sexual violence and disarmament; coordination with the SADC Mission for the utilization of MONUSCO’s air and other logistical assets for medical and casualty evacuation of SADC troops; utilization of MONUSCO’s air assets and armoured vehicles, excluding the Mission’s involvement in combat operations; and sharing of information and peacekeeping intelligence.
By other terms of the text, the 15-member organ stressed that MONUSCO’s provision of such support to the SADC Mission is determined by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the country and Head of MONUSCO in close consultation with the MONUSCO and the SADC Mission Force Commanders, and without affecting MONUSCO’s capacity to implement its mandate and strategic priorities.
Further, it asked the Secretary-General to report to the Council by 15 November 2024 on progress in operationalizing the SADC Mission and the Mission to report by 15 November 2024 on its activities, including coordination with MONUSCO.
Before the vote, the representative of Sierra Leone, Council President for August, spoke in his national capacity to commend the unity demonstrated by Council members during the draft’s negotiations. “This indicates that the Council has not turned a blind eye to the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,” he stressed. The draft seeks to create a conducive environment for implementing ongoing regional peace efforts, including the recent ceasefire agreement — brokered by Angola — between the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Noting that dialogue is “extremely critical” for resolving the conflict between the warring parties, he urged all Council members to vote in favour of the text.
His counterpart from France said the adoption of the text would mark a significant step in consolidating international assistance to counter the violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Also welcoming the ceasefire agreement between that country and Rwanda, she called on all actors to respect the accord.
After the vote, Guyana’s delegate, who spoke also for Algeria, Sierra Leone and Mozambique, said that today’s draft was adopted against the backdrop of a challenging security situation in the country, owing to the activities of armed groups operating there. She observed that a permanent solution to this issue requires strong support and political will at the national, regional and international levels. There are already mechanisms in place to counter the threat, she pointed out, adding: “They just need to be consistently and strategically implemented.” To sustainably address the problem of local armed groups, it is critical to expedite implementation of the Nairobi process. Simultaneously, Kinshasa must continue its efforts towards achieving a strong State presence throughout the eastern part of the country. She further expressed hope that the ceasefire agreement brokered by Angola under the Luanda process will permanently de-escalate tensions.
The draft will contribute to pan-regional efforts to stabilize the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, stated the Russian Federation’s representative, welcoming the recent ceasefire agreement. However, numerous components of the resolution could have been finessed, she said, rejecting efforts to fill Council documents with “excessive and intrusive language about the kinds of rules and standards that African organizations should be guided by when conducting their operations”.
Highlighting Angola’s mediation efforts to bring about the ceasefire agreement, China’s delegate said all parties must take this opportunity to de-escalate the situation. He reaffirmed support for enhancing Africa's capacity in peace stabilization and counter-terrorism operations, expressing the hope that the SADC Mission — with MONUSCO’s support — will play an active role in maintaining stability in the eastern part of the country. Emphasizing that only a political solution is sustainable, he expressed support for the efforts of regional countries and resolving African problems with an African approach. MONUSCO must continue to support the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government in strengthening security, he said.
Nevertheless, emphasized the speaker for the United Kingdom, the support provided by MONUSCO must not impede the Mission’s ability to deliver its mandate within its existing resources. Noting the importance of a comprehensive due-diligence framework, he stressed that operations should be conducted in full compliance with international law, without compromising the safety of the Mission’s personnel and its impartiality. Welcoming the ceasefire agreement, he called on all parties to honour their commitments.
The representative of the United States, while voting in favour of the draft, voiced concern that the provision of air assets and armoured vehicles to facilitate the movement of the SADC troops “could inflame regional tensions at a fragile moment in the conflict”. Rather than expanding military operations in the eastern part of the country, parties should focus on ending the violence, engaging through the Luanda process and promoting accountability for human rights abuses by all actors, he asserted. Further, Washington, D.C., is disturbed by reports immediately following the ceasefire announcement of continued actions by M23 to expand their control of Congolese territory, in blatant disregard of the humanitarian truce. He urged Rwanda to immediately end its support for M23 and withdraw its troops from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.