New York, June 28, 2011
On Tuesday June 28, 2011 the United Nations Security Council has extended for one year MONUSCO, the peace keeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The 15 members forming the UN Security Council unanimously adopted the expected resolution and reaffirmed “that the protection of civilians must be given priority” by the mission (MONUSCO), which last year succeeded an earlier mission known as MONUC.
The mission is strengthened by 20,000 military and police peacekeepers, including some 17,000 blue helmet military personnel, more than 1,000 police officers and almost 1,000 international civilian staff.
The UN Security Council also tasked MONUSCO to “support the organization and conduct of national, provincial and local elections, through the provision of technical and logistical support as requested by the Congolese authorities”.
Presidential and legislative elections in the DRC are scheduled for November 2011, and President Joseph Kabila is expected to run for a second term. He modified the constitution earlier this year and got the parliament dominated by his allies to allow only one turn, giving himself uneven chances of winning.
In a veiled criticism of Joseph Kabila’s tactics, the he resolution called for “the successful holding of timely, inclusive, peaceful, credible and transparent elections, in accordance with the constitution and international standards, is a key condition for the consolidation of democracy, national reconciliation”.
©AfroAmerica Network, 2011.
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