Current:Home > FinanceUN votes unanimously to start the withdrawal of peacekeepers from Congo by year’s end-InfoLens
UN votes unanimously to start the withdrawal of peacekeepers from Congo by year’s end
View Date:2024-12-23 11:32:38
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The Security Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to start the withdrawal of the U.N. peacekeeping force from Congo before the end of the year as the conflict-ridden country prepares to elect its next president on Wednesday.
The resolution adopted by the U.N.’s most powerful body orders “the gradual, responsible and sustainable withdrawal” of the peacekeeping mission, known as MONUSCO, starting in South Kivu in eastern Congo, and the gradual handover of its responsibilities to the Congolese government.
In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly in September, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, who is running for re-election against about 20 candidates, called for an accelerated withdrawal of the 15,000 peacekeepers. He has said “the phased withdrawal of the U.N. mission must be responsible and sustainable.”
Congo’s Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula and the U.N.’s top official in Congo, Bintou Keita, signed agreements on Nov. 21 to end the presence of U.N. peacekeepers after more than two decades in the Central African nation.
Eastern Congo has long been overrun by dozens of armed groups seeking a share of the region’s gold and other resources. Some have been quietly backed by Congo’s neighbors. U.N. experts have noted “substantial evidence” that Rwanda is supporting the resurgent M23 rebel group, which Rwanda has denied.
In October, the Congolese government directed an East African regional force, deployed last year to help end the fighting, to leave the country by December. The government alleged a “lack of satisfactory results on the ground.”
MONUSCO’s primary mission has been the protection of civilians. But frustrated Congolese say that no one is protecting them from rebel attacks, leading to protests against the U.N. mission and others that have at times turned deadly.
The Security Council said in Tuesday’s resolution that the withdrawal from South Kivu should be completed by the end of April 2024, and expressed readiness to consider further withdrawals at the end of this phase based on progress in the U.N. disengagement plan and the situation on the ground.
The council extended the mandate for MONUSCO until Dec. 20, 2024 and decided that its troop ceiling until June 30, 2024 should be 13,500 military personnel, 660 military observers and staff officers, and 2.001 international police. It ordered a reduction from July 1, 2024 to 11,500 military personnel, 600 military observers and staff officers and 1,713 international police.
The resolution strongly condemns all armed groups operating in Congo and demands that they immediately stop violent and destabilizing activities and the illegal exploitation and trafficking of the country’s natural resources.
It singles out “so-called ‘conflict minerals’ like tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold, diamonds, cobalt and coltan, as well as cocoa, charcoal, timber and wildlife” being exploited by armed groups and criminal networks supporting them.
The resolution reaffirms that eliminating the threat posed by armed groups requires a regional approach and strong political engagement by Congo’s government, the African Union and regional groups — and it calls for “calm and increased dialogue” between Congo and Rwanda to further peace in the region.
The council welcomed president Tshisekedi’s commitments and actions to reform the security sector, consolidate state authority and promote reconciliation, tolerance and democracy.
It called on the government to remain committed and allocate sufficient resources “to protecting the civilian population through the swift establishment of professional, accountable and sustainable security forces that respect international humanitarian law and domestic and international human rights law.” And it urged “the deployment of an accountable Congolese civil administration -- in particular the police, judiciary, prison and territorial administration -- and the consolidation of rule of law and promotion and protection of human rights.”
veryGood! (72)
Related
- The ancient practice of tai chi is more popular than ever. Why?
- Residents told to evacuate or take shelter after Georgia chemical fire
- Mega Millions winning numbers for September 27 drawing; jackpot at $93 million
- Power outage map: Swaths of western North Carolina dark after Hurricane Helene
- Philadelphia mass transit users face fare hikes of more than 20% and possible service cuts
- FBI to pay $22M to settle claims of sexual discrimination at training academy
- Yankees' Anthony Rizzo fractures fingers in season's penultimate game
- Connecticut Sun fend off Minnesota Lynx down stretch of Game 1 behind Alyssa Thomas
- A $1 billion proposal is the latest plan to refurbish and save the iconic Houston Astrodome
- Guardsman wanted to work for RentAHitman.com. He's now awaiting a prison sentence
Ranking
- US Open finalist Taylor Fritz talks League of Legends, why he hated tennis and how he copied Sampras
- Residents told to evacuate or take shelter after Georgia chemical fire
- An asteroid known as a 'mini-moon' will join Earth's orbit for 2 months starting Sunday
- SNL Introduces Its 2024 Presidential Election Cast Playing Kamala Harris, Tim Walz and More
- Man killed by police in Minnesota was being sought in death of his pregnant wife
- Over 90,000 Georgia residents sheltering a day after chemical plant fire sends chlorine into the air
- Trump is pointing to new numbers on migrants with criminal pasts. Here’s what they show
- Red Sox honor radio voice Joe Castiglione who is retiring after 42 years
Recommendation
-
2 dead in explosion at Kentucky factory that also damaged surrounding neighborhood
-
NASCAR 2024 playoffs at Kansas: Start time, TV, streaming, lineup for Hollywood Casino 400
-
US retailers brace for potential pain from a longshoremen’s strike
-
'I will never forgive you for this': Whole Foods' Berry Chantilly cake recipe has changed
-
Sports are a must-have for many girls who grow up to be leaders
-
How can I help those affected by Hurricane Helene? Here are ways you can donate
-
Anthony Richardson injury update: Colts QB removed with possible hip pointer injury
-
Sister Wives Star Madison Brush Announces Pregnancy News Amid Estrangement From Dad Kody Brown