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Security Council reaffirms arms embargo in new resolution on DR of Congo

Security Council reaffirms arms embargo in new resolution on DR of Congo

UN Security Council in session
The United Nations Security Council today renewed its arms embargo against irregular forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) until July of next year "in light of the failure by the parties to comply" with previous demands and it called for the re-establishment of an expert group to analyze any further violations.

In its resolution, approved unanimously after a closed meeting, the Council said that the embargo would be lifted if its demands were satisfied.

The Council text re-affirmed the demands listed in a July 2003 resolution, which included allowing the UN Organization Mission in the DRC (MONUC) freedom of movement to carry out its mandate, especially in North and South Kivu and Ituri provinces.

It enjoined DRC's neighbours to provide "no direct or indirect assistance, especially military or financial assistance" to the movements and armed groups opposing the multi-party transitional government.

MONUC's monitoring mandate included inspecting any transport vehicle using the sea and airports, airfields, military bases and border crossings in the three troubled provinces.

The Council also re-affirmed its March 2004 resolution which "urges all States, and especially those in the region, to take the appropriate steps," such as judicial means, to end such illegal activities as exploiting DRC's natural resources.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan was asked to re-establish within 30 days the Group of Experts referred to in the March resolution and requested that the panel report to it before 15 December.

Last week the Group of Experts submitted a report to the Council saying it had found evidence of direct and indirect embargo violations by at least one of DRC's neighbours.