SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS MURDER OF NINE UN PEACEKEEPERS IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

In Presidential Statement, Council Calls on Government to Bring Attackers

To Justice; Welcomes UN Mission’s ‘Continued Robust Action’ in Pursuit of Its Mandate

The Security Council this morning condemned “with the utmost firmness” the 25 February attack against a patrol of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) by the Front des Nationalistes et Int覲ationnistes (FNI) in Ituri, resulting in the murder of nine Bangladeshi peacekeepers.

The Council, in a statement read out by Council President Ronaldo Mota Sardenberg (Brazil), considered that aggression near the town of Kaf纯st1:place>, Democratic Republic of the Congo, by its intentional and well-planned nature, to be “an unacceptable outrage”.  It called upon the Government of National Unity and Transition to take immediately all necessary measures to bring the perpetrators, sponsors and authors of the attack to justice.  It welcomed the response of MONUC against the militia groups responsible for the killings and MONUC’s “continued robust action” in pursuit of its mandate.  It also welcomed the first arrests undertaken by the Government.

The Council endorsed the serious concern expressed on 28 February by the International Committee in Support of the Transition over the illegal and criminal activities of militia in Ituri and their military and political leaders.  It expressed its concern that the integration of Ituri militia officers into the Congolese Armed Forces had failed to lead to the disarmament of their troops.  The Council called upon the Government of National Unity and Transition to strengthen its support for the implementation of the disarmament and community reintegration programme for Ituri militiamen.  It considered those who tried to impede that programme as a threat to the political process in the country.

The meeting started at 11:33 a.m. and was adjourned at 11:41 a.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2005/10 reads as follows:

“The Security Council condemns with the utmost firmness the attack against a patrol of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) by the Front des Nationalistes et Int覲ationnistes in Ituri (FNI), which occurred on 25 February 2005 near the town of Kaf纯st1:place>, resulting in the murder of nine Bangladeshi peacekeepers.  It offers its condolences to the victims’ families and to the authorities of Bangladesh.  It commends the dedication of MONUC’s personnel, who operate in particularly hazardous conditions.  It welcomes the action of MONUC against the militia groups responsible for these killings and MONUC’s continued robust action in pursuit of its mandate.

“The Security Council considers this aggression, by its intentional and well-planned nature, to be an unacceptable outrage.  It calls upon the Government of National Unity and Transition immediately to take all necessary measures to bring to justice the perpetrators, sponsors and authors of this attack and welcomes the first arrests undertaken by the Government.  It endorses in this regard the serious concern expressed in Kinshasa on 28 February 2005 by the International Committee in Support of the Transition over the illegal and criminal activities of militia in Ituri and their military and political leaders, in particular Floribert Ndjabu, Goda Sukpa, ȴienne Lona, Thomas Lubanga, Bosco Tanganda and Germain Katanga.  It expresses its concern that the integration of Ituri militia officers into the Congolese Armed Forces has failed to lead to the disarmament of their troops which should proceed without delay.

“The Security Council calls upon the Government of National Unity and Transition to strengthen its support for the implementation of the disarmament and community reintegration programme for Ituri militiamen.  It considers those who try to impede this programme as a threat to the political process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  It also calls upon the Government of National Unity and Transition urgently to deploy additional integrated troops and police units to Ituri, and invites donors to provide support for this vital undertaking.

“The Security Council reminds all States in the region of their responsibility to ensure compliance for the arms embargo imposed by resolution 1493 (2003) and is considering additional measures it might take to reinforce implementation and monitoring of the embargo.  It further urges those States to ensure that their territories cannot be used by any Congolese armed group, notably the Ituri militia, whose activities perpetuate a climate of insecurity that affects the whole region.

“The Security Council reaffirms its full support for MONUC, and urges MONUC to continue to fulfil its mandate with determination.  It notes the importance for MONUC to continue to strengthen its action in Ituri and in North and South Kivu.”

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*     Revised to reflect latest text of presidential statement.