Top EU official calls for stronger MONUC mandate

The EU high representative for the common foreign and security policy, Javier Solana, has called on the UN Security Council to authorise a stronger mandate for the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), similar to that of the EU-led multinational peace enforcement mission deployed to the northeastern town of Bunia. Solana made the appeal on Friday, following a two-day visit to the Congo and neighbouring Rwanda and Uganda on 15 and 16 July. "We must preserve what the European Union force has achieved," Solana told the council. "It is essential that a reinforced MONUC [as the UN Mission is known] presence be deployed in Bunia within the planned timescale." The EU-led force in Bunia is scheduled to end its operations on 1 September, when MONUC troops are expected to take over. "That force should have a mandate and rules of engagement similar to those of the European Union force," he said in reference to Chapter Seven of the UN Charter. "It should have the equipment and military resources necessary to accomplish its mission and implement the mandate and rules of engagement," he added. "If we wish to secure the region beyond the city limits, we will also have to deploy larger forces." A Chapter Seven mandate authorises the UN to use military force in response to "any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression". MONUC is operating under Chapter Six, which widely limits the use of force. Solana said the EU "resolutely backed" a proposed embargo on arms destined for Ituri and North and South Kivu provinces, and that it intended to promote initiatives to punish those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity and acts of genocide committed in the DRC. He also announced an EU contribution of € 205 million (US $231 million) to support the country's reconstruction, rehabilitation and development. UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Marie Guehenno, said that in order to dissuade further military action in Bunia, it would be crucial to maintain the robust character of the troops stationed in the city. This was especially important, he said, given the significant numbers of new weapons found in the area. Former MONUC head Amos Namanga Ngongi said that Guehenno "had rightly focused on Ituri", which should not be regarded as needing just a short-term deployment of troops. He said he was encouraged to see that a draft UN resolution provided for the deployment of a robust force to Ituri, with an appropriate mandate. However, he said that additional action must be taken to end the reign of impunity throughout the country. The council is due to vote on a stronger MONUC mandate in the coming days. Meanwhile, the council is to hold consultations on Thursday regarding the work of the UN panel of experts investigating the illegal exploitation of natural resources of the DRC, the scramble for control of which is widely blamed for fuelling five years of war in the country. [A detailed account of the Security Council's discussion is available online at www.un.org]