United Nations Security Council Resolution 1635

by the United Nations

Adopted by the Security Council at its 5296th meeting, on 28 October 2005

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions and the statements by its President on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular resolutions 1565 of 1 October 2004, 1592 of 30 March 2005, 1596 of 18 April 2005 and 1621 of 6 September 2005 and 1628 of 30 September 2005, and the statement of 4 October 2005 (S/PRST/2005/46),

Reaffirming its commitment to respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as of all States in the region, and its support for the process of the Global and All Inclusive Agreement on the Transition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, signed in Pretoria on 17 December 2002,

Underlining the importance of elections as the foundation for the longer term restoration of peace and stability, national reconciliation and establishment of the rule of law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

Paying tribute to the donor community for the assistance they provide to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in particular to the electoral process, and encouraging them to maintain it,

Welcoming the interest and commitment shown by the Congolese authorities to promote good governance and transparent economic management, and urging all the components of the Government of National Unity and Transition to strengthen their efforts in continuing to build consensus in this regard,

Reiterating its serious concern regarding the continuation of hostilities by militias and foreign armed groups in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and at the threat they pose to the holding of elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

Deploring the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law carried out by these militias and groups and stressing the urgent need for those responsible for these crimes to be brought to justice,

Recognizing the link between the illegal exploitation of natural resources, the illicit trade in such resources and the proliferation and trafficking of arms as one of the factors fuelling and exacerbating conflicts in the Great Lakes region of Africa, and in particular in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

Taking note of the nineteenth report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), dated 26 September 2005 (S/2005/603), and of its recommendations,

Noting that the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

1. Decides to extend the mandate of MONUC until 30 September 2006;

2. Having taken note of the recommendations described in paragraphs 27 to 29 of the report of the Secretary-General, authorizes an increase of 300 personnel in the military strength of MONUC to allow for the deployment of an infantry battalion in Katanga, with enabling assets including its own air mobility and appropriate medical support, to provide additional security within its area of operations during the electoral period;

3. Underlines the temporary character of the increase referred to in the previous paragraph, and requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps with a view to downsizing or repatriating this additional strength from 1 July 2006 at the latest, and to report to the Council before 1 June 2006 on the assessment to be made for that purpose;

4. Calls on the Transitional institutions and on all Congolese parties to ensure that free, fair and peaceful elections take place, and that the timetable for polls developed by the Independent Electoral Commission is scrupulously respected, and underlines in this regard that it is the responsibility of the Congolese authorities to adopt the necessary legislation without further delay;

5. Calls on the Government of National Unity and Transition to carry out reform of the security sector, through the expeditious integration of the Armed Forces and of the National Police of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in particular by ensuring adequate payment and logistical support for their personnel;

6. Calls on the donor community, as a matter of urgency, to continue to engage firmly in the provision of assistance needed for the integration, training and equipping of the Armed Forces and of the National Police of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and urges the Government of National Unity and Transition to promote all possible means to facilitate and expedite cooperation to this end;

7. Requests MONUC, within its capacity and mandate, and in consultation with international financial institutions and donors, to continue to provide advice and assistance as well as the necessary support, to the effective follow-up to the meeting on 21 September 2005 between the Espace présidentiel and the International Committee in Support of the Transition, to strengthen support for good governance and transparent economic management;

8. Welcomes the action taken by MONUC in investigating and dealing with instances of sexual exploitation and abuse and its efforts to put in place preventive measures, requests the Secretary-General to continue to take the necessary measures to achieve actual compliance in MONUC with the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to keep the Council informed, and urges troop-contributing countries to take appropriate preventive action, including predeployment awareness training, and other action to ensure full accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel;

9. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.