DR of Congo: Security Council backs implementation of peace agreement with Rwanda

Voicing its full support for the implementation of the recent peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, the United Nations Security Council today urged the parties to comply with their responsibilities under the accord.

In a statement read out at an open meeting by Ambassador James B. Cunningham of the United States, which holds the Council's rotating Presidency for the month of August, the 15-member body welcomed the agreement, which was signed on 30 July in Pretoria and calls for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the DRC and the dismantling of the ex-Forces armees rwandaise (FAR) and Interahamwe forces in that country.

The statement stressed the obligations of the two parties set out in the Peace Agreement and Implementation Plan, and called upon the international community to help and expedite the carrying out of those responsibilities.

The Council also welcomed the commitments of the two Governments to cooperate in the identification, disarmament and repatriation of ex-FAR and Interahamwe. It urged the parties to make every effort to comply fully with all their obligations under Council resolution 1341, which called for the withdrawal of foreign troops, and the new accord's Programme of Implementation. It also hailed the commitment of the Rwandan Government regarding the withdrawal of its troops from the DRC, and noted Kigali's submission of its initial troop withdrawal plan.

The statement commended the two Governments for engaging in direct dialogue on their mutual security concerns and urged them to continue that communication. It also commended the Government of South Africa for facilitating the Peace Agreement, and for its further role, together with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, regarding that accord.

The Council reiterated its support for the UN Organization Mission in the DRC (MONUC), particularly in the area of voluntary disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration. It looked forward to considering as soon as possible the Secretary-General's recommendations on how MONUC could help the two countries.