Congo stabilization mission set for renewal

Mar 28, 2017

"The UN Security Council is set to vote on a resolution for the renewal of MONUSCO's mandate on March 29,"reads part of the statement obtained by New Vision.

The United Nations Security Council is set to vote for the renewal of United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

According to Amnesty International, the mandate renewal of the stabilization is an opportunity for the United Nations to reaffirm its commitments. The body also seeks to step up its efforts to prevent further deterioration of the human rights situation and protect civilians in the DRC and the entire Great Lakes region.

"The UN Security Council is set to vote on a resolution for the renewal of MONUSCO's mandate on March 29,"reads part of the statement obtained by New Vision.

Amnesty International has also urged the Security Council to ensure that MONUSCO's mandate of protecting civilians and preventing further deterioration of the human rights situation in the country.

"To this end the UN Secretary General has proposed an increase in, and rapid deployment of UN Police Units. Currently, MONUSCO has 1,090 police," reads the report.

Amnesty International also revealed that there have been human rights violations and abuses, including unlawful killings and inter-ethnic violence in Beni, Rutshuru, Kongo Central. The body notes that recently, in Kasai two UN experts and four of their Congolese colleagues went missing on March 17 raises questions about the state's ability or willingness to protect civilians in these areas.

The DRC failed to meet its constitutional deadline to organise presidential elections in November 2016. To avoid a constitutional crisis, the government sought an interpretation from the Supreme Court in June 2016 which ruled that President Kabila could stay in power until his successor is elected.

Delays in organizing elections have led to a shrinking of civic space as protests against the postponement were met with arbitrary and abusive force by the security forces.

Amnesty International, the UN Joint Human Rights Office and other organizations have documented the use of unnecessary and excessive force by the security forces, including unlawful killings.

To date, no effective investigations have been conducted and no security officer has been suspended or brought to justice in relation their action.

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