UN mission ready for next stage of deployment - Annan

In an effort to sustain the momentum of the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has recommended that the Security Council authorise the UN mission in the country (MONUC) to move into the next phase of its operations and begin disarming combatants, UN News reported on Thursday.

In his latest report to the Council on MONUC activities, Annan said that the overall situation in the DRC continued to develop in a largely positive way. "The cease-fire has held and the disengagement of forces and their redeployment to new defensive positions is effectively complete," he said. "Some foreign forces have been withdrawn from the territory."

MONUC has nearly completed the second phase of its deployment, and is now faced with the challenges of the third phase, which, according to the report, includes the total withdrawal of all foreign forces in the DRC; the disarmament and demobilisation of armed groups; and the repatriation, resettlement and reintegration of the ex-combatants into society (known collectively as DDRRR). Annan also recommended that the Council authorise MONUC to enter this phase of its deployment with 5,337 military personnel.

Although MONUC is ready to assume a coordinating role in organising DDRRR, Annan reported, it has neither the means nor the mandate to undertake many of the practical tasks associated with the effort. Therefore, he said, the challenges ahead and their complexity will require that UN agencies and Bretton Woods institutions enhance their coordination.

Annan said the parties to the 1999 Lusaka peace agreement must engage in constructive dialogue and that their performance "will obviously be a factor" in UN efforts. "In this respect, I also count on the continuing support of interested member states to encourage, assist and, where necessary, prod the parties to pursue the peace process resolutely."

On the political front, Annan expressed his hope that the inter-Congolese dialogue [which began on 15 October in Addis Ababa, but has been suspended until resumption some time next month in South Africa] will enable all sides to address key issues necessary for a return to peace. "The most important tasks, however, still lie ahead," Annan said. "The Congolese parties must demonstrate their continuing commitment to the dialogue and cooperate fully with the facilitator [former Botswanan president Ketumile Masire] and his team. At the same time, the support and assistance of the international community will continue to be needed."