Credit: UN photo  MONUSCO /  UN peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) BMP armored vehicles on patrol.

By Gary Raynaldo       DIPLOMATIC TIMES

UNITED  NATIONS  –    NEW YORK –  The Security Council Thursday extended the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) for another year, but reduced the number of troops. In a resolution unanimously adopted, the 15-member body decided that MONUSCO’s troop ceiling will comprise 14,000 military personnel, 660 military observers and staff officers, 591 police personnel, and 1,050 personnel of formed police units. The last mandated troop ceiling was 16,215 military personnel.  There are 15,900 troops currently deployed. 

Paul Losoko Efambe Empole ( Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to the United Nations) expressed gratitude for the UN’s efforts to restore peace and stability in his country.  The DRC ambassador pledged the country’s efforts to take advantage of the extended support of MONUSCO and work together with the Mission to achieve lasting peace and sustainable development.  He said respect for all agreements reached is crucial for that purpose.  He also stated that although positive trends have begun under President Tshisekedi, armed groups still pose threats.  To address that, operations have been launched in the east and have already begun to bear fruit in the surrender of various Mai-Mai groups and others, along with capture of a number of leaders and strongholds, the ambassador pointed out.

Cherith Norman-Chalet (United States), Council President for December, spoke in her national capacity, saying that the text allows MONUSCO to become leaner and more effective in carrying out its mandate.  However, she stressed that any mention of the International Criminal Court makes no claim for jurisdiction over nationals or States that are not party to the Rome Statute.  Nonetheless, that in no way allows impunity for atrocity crimes, which the U.S.  demands accountability for, she said.