Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, at the 9055th Meeting, 3 June 2022, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "the Situation Concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo"]

S/PRST/2022/4View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Presidential Statement of the Security Council, under agenda item 104 The situation concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, published in 2022.

What subjects does this mandate have?

8 subjects

Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo Situation Illicit Traffic Internal Security Natural Resources Peacebuilding Peacekeeping Operations Regional Security

What’s in this document?

11 paragraphs

At the 9055th meeting of the Security Council, held on 3 June 2022, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “The situation concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo”, the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council welcomes the recent positive political developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region and the convening of the second Regional Heads of State Conclave on the Democratic Republic of Congo in Nairobi, Kenya, on 21 April 2022. The Security Council further welcomes the commitment by the regional Heads of State to implement a two-track approach aimed at finding lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the support provided by the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region to this process.

“The Security Council expresses concern over the increase of armed group activity in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and reiterates its condemnation of all armed groups operating in the country, including the M23, the Coopérative pour le développement du Congo (CODECO), the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR), the Résistance pour un état de droit (RED-Tabara), Mai-Mai groups and several other domestic and foreign armed groups. The Security Council further reiterates its condemnation of the recent attacks on the Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC) and MONUSCO.

“The Security Council calls all armed groups operating in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo to participate unconditionally in the inter-Democratic Republic of the Congo dialogue initiated by His Excellency President Felix TSHISEKEDI and His Excellency President Uhuru KENYATTA. The Security Council urges all domestic armed groups to immediately cease all forms of violence, permanently disband and lay down their arms, and participate in the Demobilisation, Disarmament, Community Recovery and Stabilisation Program (P-DDRCS). The Security Council further urges all foreign armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to disarm and return unconditionally and immediately to their respective countries of origin. The Security Council stresses that the elimination of the threat posed by foreign armed groups will require an integrated and regional approach and strong political engagement and calls for the implementation of the non-military measures under the Contact and Coordination Group.

“The Security Council recognises the PDDRC-S as an important peacebuilding tool and encourages all international partners, including the international community, the United Nations, in accordance with their mandates as well as international financial institutions, to urgently provide adequate and timely support for swift and effective implementation of the Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration of eligible former combatants, under coordination of the PDDRC-S. The Security Council encourages continued consideration of the needs and experiences of women and youth as well as the protection of children’s rights as an integral part of those processes.

“The Security Council expresses concern at the current humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, exacerbated by widespread insecurity including the destabilising activities of armed groups and targeted attacks on internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. The Security Council calls on the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to address the underlying drivers of the current humanitarian situation and on partners to step up their support to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in tackling these challenges. The Security Council encourages the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the regional member States to work towards the realisation of durable solutions for refugees and IDPs, including their voluntary, safe and dignified return and reintegration in their communities of origin.

“The Security Council remains deeply concerned by the high levels of violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law in parts of the country and urges the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to hold accountable those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law or violations and abuses of human rights, including those involving widespread sexual and gender-based violence.

“The Security Council recognises the progress made in the implementation of national and regional commitments under the PSC Framework and encourages the regional countries to seize the current momentum to make further progress in overcoming challenges to peace and sustainable development. The Security Council encourages further efforts to de-escalate tensions, to refrain from incendiary statements and incitement to violence and welcomes the engagement of existing regional mechanisms, including the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM), to bring light to alleged unauthorised cross-border military activity.

“The Security Council underscores the role of illicit exploitation of and trade in natural resources as a driver of conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region. The Security Council encourages a swift implementation of the recommendations of the Khartoum high level workshop, to address the financing of armed groups through the illicit exploitation and trade of natural resources. The Security Council further encourages regional member states to establish internal systems of control, monitoring and verification of natural resources in the region, as well as to adopt provisions of regional agreements into national laws and practices to eliminate illicit mineral trade. The Security Council reaffirms the linkage between the illegal exploitation and trade in natural resources and the illegal acquisition and trafficking of small arms and light weapons in fuelling and exacerbating armed conflict in the region.

“The Security Council underlines the importance of socioeconomic development for sustaining peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and reiterates its continued commitment, in collaboration with regional actors and international partners, to the promotion of peace, stability and development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region.

“The Security Council reaffirms its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Security Council reiterates its full support for the stabilising action of MONUSCO, in line with the basic principles of peacekeeping and its mandate as reflected in Security Council resolution 2612 (2021), and expresses its deep appreciation to MONUSCO’s troop- and police-contributing countries.”

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