New York, NY 01 Apr 2005 - The UN Security Council voted Tuesday to renew the mandate of the UN peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) and in doing so stressed that the force is empowered to use "all necessary means" to defend civilians under threat from armed groups.
The resolution urges the transitional government to ensure the security of its citizens, reform the security sector and make progress toward holding elections. However, the council did not increase the number of troops or take other steps to strengthen the force, as called for by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and numerous aid organizations.
In a letter to the president of the Security Council on March 23, the IRC, Care and Refugees International urged the council to renew the mandate, but also to provide an outstanding 7,200 additional peacekeeping troops to the war-torn country.
Among other recommendations, the three groups said MONUC’s mandate and resources should be expanded to permit it to control all of Congo’s borders as a means of preventing the flow of arms and exploited natural resources.
Calling Congo the "world’s most neglected emergency," the letter urges the Council to pressure foreign governments, forces and militias to cease violent and destabilizing actions in the country.
