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S/RES/2211 (2015)
Security Council Distr.: General 26 March 2015
Resolution 2211 (2015)
Adopted by the Security Council at its 7415th meeting, on 26 March 2015
The Security Council, Recalling its previous resolutions and the statements of its President concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), especially its resolutions 2198 (2015), 2147 (2014), 2136 (2014), 2098 (2013), 2078 (2012), 2076 (2012) and 2053 (2012), Reaffirming the basic principles of peacekeeping, including consent of the parties, impartiality, and non-use of force, except in self-defence and defence of the mandate, and recognizing that the mandate of each peace-keeping mission is specific to the need and situation of the country concerned, Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the DRC as well as all States in the region and emphasizing the need to respect fully the principles of non-interference, good-neighbourliness and regional cooperation, Emphasizing that those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights must be held accountable and that the Government of the DRC bears the primary responsibility to protect civilians within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction, including protection from crimes against humanity and war crimes, Noting that eastern DRC has continued to suffer from recurring cycles of conflict and persistent violence by armed groups, both Congolese and foreign, and recalling the strategic importance of the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the DRC and the Region, and reiterating its call to all signatories to fulfil promptly, fully and in good faith their respective commitments under this agreement in order to address the root causes of conflict and put an end to recurring cycles of violence, and promote lasting regional development, Encouraging the continuation of efforts by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the African Union (AU) to restore peace and security in eastern DRC, encouraging the government of the DRC to ensure continuous close cooperation with these and other international parties,
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and recognizing the efforts of the Government of the DRC aiming at the achievement of peace and national development, Reiterating its deep concern regarding the security and humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC due to ongoing destabilizing activities of foreign and domestic armed groups, and stressing the importance of neutralizing the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), the National Liberation Forces (FNL), and all other armed groups in the DRC, and recognizing the efforts of the FARDC against armed groups, especially the ADF, Recalling its Presidential statement of 8 January 2015 (S/PRST/2015/1) and reiterating that the swift neutralization of the FDLR is a top priority in bringing stability to and protecting civilians of the DRC and the Great Lakes region, noting with deep concern repeated reports of collaboration between elements of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) and elements of the FDLR at a local level and unfettered regional travel by FDLR, recalling that the FDLR is a group under United Nations sanctions whose leaders and members include perpetrators of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, during which Hutu and others who opposed the genocide were also killed, and have continued to promote and commit ethnically-based and other killings in Rwanda and the DRC, Remaining greatly concerned by the humanitarian situation that continues to severely affect the civilian population, in particular in eastern DRC, expressing deep concern regarding the very high number of internally displaced persons in the DRC, at more than 2,7 million, and the over 490,000 refugees from eastern DRC caused by the various Congolese and foreign armed groups active in the region, and calling upon the DRC and all States in the region to work towards the peaceful environment conducive to the realization of durable solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons, including their eventual voluntary return and reintegration in the DRC, with the support, as appropriate, of the United Nations country team, supporting UNHCR’s current efforts to complete biometric registration of the Rwandese refugee population in the DRC to help facilitate the return of these refugees to Rwanda, and calling upon all parties in the conflict to respect the impartiality, independence and neutrality of humanitarian actors, Remaining deeply concerned by the persistent high levels of violence and violations and abuses of human rights and international law, condemning in particular those involving the targeted attacks against civilians, widespread sexual and gender-based violence, systematic recruitment and use of children by certain parties to the conflict, the displacement of significant numbers of civilians, extrajudicial executions and arbitrary arrests, recognizing their deleterious effect on the stabilization, reconstruction and development efforts in the DRC, and calling for all those responsible for all such violations and abuses to be swiftly apprehended, brought to justice and held accountable, Recalling all its relevant resolutions on women, peace and security, on children and armed conflicts, and on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, also recalling the conclusions on Children and Armed conflicts in the DRC (S/AC.51/2014/3) adopted on 18 September 2014 by the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflicts pertaining to the parties in armed conflicts of the DRC,
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Welcoming the efforts of MONUSCO and international partners in delivering training in human rights, international humanitarian law, gender mainstreaming, child protection and protection from sexual and gender-based violence for Congolese security institutions and underlining its importance, and welcoming the establishment of the Women’s Platform for the PSC Framework in an effort to ensure the full participation of women in the PSC Framework peace process, Noting the ongoing efforts made by the Government of the DRC to combat sexual violence in conflict including through its National Strategy and the commitments outlined in the Joint Communiqué between the Government of the DRC and the United Nations on the Fight Against Sexual Violence in Conflict adopted in Kinshasa on 30 March 2013, and strongly encouraging the Government of DRC to increase its efforts in this regard, Acknowledging the adoption of the Framework of Cooperation between the United Nations Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and the African Union Commission Concerning the Prevention and Response to Conflict-related Sexual Violence in Africa adopted in Addis Ababa on 31 January 2014, Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General S/2014/181 which includes a list of parties responsible for patterns of rape and other forms of sexual violence in situations of armed conflict, being on the Security Council agenda, Noting with deep concern reports and allegations indicating the persistence of serious human rights and international humanitarian law violations committed by some members of the FARDC, the Republican Guard and Congolese National Police (PNC) including during the protests in Kinshasa, Goma and Bukavu in January 2015, appealing for calm, urging all parties to refrain from violence, and emphasizing that the Government of the DRC response must respect human rights and comply with the principle of proportionality in the use of force, Recalling the importance of fighting against impunity within all ranks of the FARDC and PNC, commending the DRC authorities for recent prosecutions and condemnations of FARDC officers for crimes against humanity and war crimes, and stressing the need for the Government of the DRC to continue to ensure the increased professionalism of its security forces, Stressing the need for cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) by the Government of the DRC, welcoming the commitment made by the Government of the DRC to hold accountable those responsible for serious crimes, in particular war crimes and crimes against humanity, in the country, and stressing the importance of actively seeking to hold accountable those responsible for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in the country, Reaffirming that the successful protection of civilians is critical to the fulfilment of MONUSCO’s mandate and the delivery of an improved security environment, also stressing the importance of peaceful means and progress on key reforms to promote the protection of civilians, Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General on the strategic review of MONUSCO and the wider United Nations presence (S/2014/957) submitted pursuant to paragraph 39 of its resolution 2147 (2014), and further welcoming its recommendations on MONUSCO’s future objectives, activities, exit strategy and
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effective deployment of resources, bearing in mind the need to continue to increase the effectiveness of the mission, and respond to changing conditions on the ground, Taking note of the views expressed by the Government of the DRC regarding its appreciation of the strategic review of MONUSCO, in particular on the objectives and the reconfiguration of the Mission, Reaffirming its strong support to the Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral (SRSG) and MONUSCO in the implementation of their mandate, and strongly encouraging the continuation of their efforts, Noting that it is important that all MONUSCO contingents, including the contingents of the Intervention Brigade, are properly prepared, effectively equipped and supported to be able to sustain their commitment to carry out their respective tasks, Reiterating its call on all parties to cooperate fully with MONUSCO and to remain committed to the full and objective implementation of the Mission’s mandate, reiterating its condemnation of any and all attacks against peacekeepers, and emphasizing that those responsible for such attacks must be held accountable, Reiterating its call upon the Secretary-General to take all measures deemed necessary to strengthen United Nations field security arrangements and improve the safety and security of all military contingents, police officers, military observers, and especially unarmed observers, Underlining the importance of MONUSCO deterring any threats to the implementation of its mandate, Recognizing the contribution of MONUSCO to a comprehensive strategy for durable peace and security, noting the need for MONUSCO to strengthen support to the government of the DRC to enable it to address security challenges and human rights concerns, and extend state authority of the government of DRC as expressed in paragraph 5 of the PSC Framework, noting with appreciation the contribution that MONUSCO makes to early peacebuilding, and emphasizing that MONUSCO’s activities should be conducted in a manner so as to facilitate post-conflict peacebuilding, prevention of relapse into armed conflict and progress towards sustainable peace and development, Stressing the crucial importance of the upcoming electoral cycle for stabilization and consolidation of constitutional democracy in the DRC, expressing concern with restrictions of the political space in the DRC, in particular recent arrests of political opposition members and suspension of Internet and social media, and recalling the need for an open, inclusive and peaceful political dialogue between all stakeholders, while ensuring the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights, paving the way for peaceful, credible, inclusive, transparent and timely elections in the DRC, particularly presidential and legislative elections by November 2016, in accordance with the Constitution and the electoral calendar, while respecting the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, Determining that the situation in the DRC continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region, Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
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MONUSCO’s mandate and strategic review 1. Decides to extend until 31 March 2016 the mandate of MONUSCO in the DRC, including, on an exceptional basis and without creating a precedent or any prejudice to the agreed principles of peacekeeping, its Intervention Brigade; 2. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on the strategic review of MONUSCO and the wider United Nations presence (S/2014/957) submitted pursuant to paragraph 39 of its resolution 2147 (2014), fully endorses its recommendations, including on the transformation of the MONUSCO force to become more efficient and effective in implementing its mandate, and calls for their effective and rapid implementation and reiterates that multi-dimensional peacekeeping requires a comprehensive approach, and requests MONUSCO’s military, police and civilian components to work together in an integrated way; 3. Endorses the recommendation of the Secretary-General to reduce the MONUSCO force by 2,000 troops, while maintaining an authorized troop ceiling of 19,815 military personnel, 760 military observers and staff officers, 391 police personnel, and 1050 personnel of formed police units; 4. Expresses its intention to make this troop reduction permanent, through a revised troop ceiling, consistent with the report of the Secretary-General on the strategic review of MONUSCO, once significant progress has been achieved regarding the priorities of MONUSCO’s mandate, consistent with paragraph 6 below, including the fight against the FDLR; 5. Requests MONUSCO to continue to maximise Force interoperability, flexibility and effectiveness in the implementation of the entirety of MONUSCO’s mandate, including by deploying rapidly deployable units and continuing to modernise the Force, consistent with the recommendations of the strategic review, bearing in mind the safety and security of all military contingents, police officers, military observers, and especially unarmed observers; 6. Decides that future reconfigurations of MONUSCO and its mandate should be determined in consultation with the Government of the DRC on the basis of the evolution of the situation on the ground and, in the context of implementation by the Government of the DRC and all other signatories of the PSC Framework, progress towards the following objectives, in line with the three main priorities of protection of civilians, stabilization, and support to the implementation of the PSC framework, including national reforms, as set out in the Mission concept; (a) Reduction of the threat posed by Congolese and foreign armed groups, in particular the FDLR, violence against civilians, including sexual and gender-based violence and violence against children to a level that can be effectively managed by the Congolese justice and security institutions; (b) Stabilization through the establishment of functional, professional, and accountable state institutions, including security and judicial institutions, in conflict-affected areas, and through strengthened democratic practices that reduces the risk of instability, including adequate political space, promotion and protection of human rights and a credible electoral process; 7. Stresses the need for coordination and cooperation between the Government of the DRC and other national authorities, United Nations entities and
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development actors to stabilize, improve security situation and assist in restoration of State authority;
Protection of civilians 8. Reaffirms that the protection of civilians must be given priority in decisions about the use of available capacity and resources; 9. Authorizes MONUSCO, in pursuit of the objectives described in paragraph 6 above, to take all necessary measures to perform the following tasks, bearing in mind that these are mutually reinforcing tasks; (a) Ensure, within its area of operations, effective protection of civilians under threat of physical violence, including by deterring, preventing and stopping armed groups from inflicting violence on the populations, paying particular attention to civilians gathered in displaced and refugee camps, humanitarian personnel and human rights defenders, in the context of violence emerging from any of the parties engaged in the conflict, and mitigating the risk to civilians before, during and after any military operation; (b) Ensure the protection of United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and equipment and the security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated personnel; (c) Work with the Government of the DRC to identify threats to civilians and implement existing prevention and response plans and strengthen civil-military cooperation, including joint-planning, to ensure the protection of civilians from abuses and violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, including all forms of sexual and gender-based violence and violations and abuses committed against children and persons with disabilities, and requests MONUSCO to ensure that child protection and gender concerns are integrated into all operations and strategic aspects of MONUSCO’s work and accelerate the coordinated implementation of monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence and the swift deployment of Women Protection Advisers as called for in resolution 1960 (2010) and 2106 (2013), in order to seek commitments on the prevention and response to conflict-related sexual violence; (d) Support and work with the authorities of the DRC to arrest and bring to justice those allegedly responsible for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity and violations of international humanitarian law and violations or abuses of human rights in the country, including leaders of armed groups, including through cooperation with States of the region and the ICC; (e) Neutralizing armed groups through the intervention brigade In support of the authorities of the DRC, on the basis of information collection and analysis, and taking full account of the need to protect civilians and mitigate risk before, during and after any military operation, carry out targeted offensive operations through the Intervention Brigade in cooperation with the whole of MONUSCO, either unilaterally or jointly with the FARDC, in a robust, highly mobile and versatile manner and in strict compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law, and in accordance with the standing operating procedures applicable to persons who are captured or who surrender, and with the human rights due diligence policy on United Nations-support to non-United
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Nations forces (HRDDP), prevent the expansion of all armed groups, neutralize these groups, and disarm them in order to contribute to the objective of reducing the threat posed by armed groups to state authority and civilian security in eastern DRC and to make space for stabilization activities; (f) Arms embargo Monitor the implementation of the arms embargo as described in paragraph 1 of resolution 2198 (2015) in cooperation with the Group of Experts established by resolution 1533 (2004), and in particular observe and report on flows of military personnel, arms or related materiel across the eastern border of the DRC, including by using, as specified in the letter of the Council dated 22 January 2013 (S/2013/44), surveillance capabilities provided by unmanned aerial systems, seize, collect, record and dispose of arms or related materiel brought into the DRC in violation of the measures imposed by paragraph 1 of resolution 2198 (2015), and share relevant information with the Group of Experts;
Gender issues, child protection, interaction with civilian population 10. Requests MONUSCO to take fully into account gender considerations as a cross-cutting issue throughout its mandate and to assist the Government of the DRC in ensuring the participation, involvement and representation of women at all levels, including in stabilization activities, security sector reform (SSR) and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) processes, as well as in the national political dialogue and electoral processes, through, inter alia, the provision of gender advisers, and further requests enhanced reporting by MONUSCO to the Council on this issue; 11. Requests MONUSCO to take fully into account child protection as a cross-cutting issue throughout its mandate and to assist the Government of the DRC in ensuring that the protection of children’s rights is taken into account, inter alia, in DDR processes and in SSR as well as during interventions leading to the separation of children from the FARDC and armed groups in order to end and prevent violations and abuses against children, including those involving detention, including temporary, of children by the FARDC; 12. Encourages MONUSCO to enhance its interaction with the civilian population to raise awareness and understanding about its mandate and activities through a comprehensive public outreach programme, to identify potential threats against the civilian population and to collect reliable information on violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights perpetrated against civilians;
Stabilization 13. Authorizes MONUSCO, in support of the Congolese authorities and their efforts to stabilize eastern DRC, to contribute to the following tasks, including through the SRSG’s good offices; (a) Provide good offices, advice and support to the Government of DRC to ensure actions against armed groups are supported by civilian and police components as part of consolidated planning which provides a comprehensive response to area-based stabilization efforts;
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(b) Provide good offices, advice and support to the Government of the DRC, in close cooperation with other international partners, in the implementation of the revised International Security and Stabilization Support Strategy (ISSSS) and related Provincial Stabilization Plans; (c) Provide good offices, advice and support to the Government of the DRC, in close cooperation with other international partners, in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of Congolese combatants not suspected of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or abuses of human rights, into a peaceful civilian life in line with a community-based approach that is coordinated under the framework of the ISSSS, while paying specific attention to the needs of children formerly associated with armed forces and groups; (d) Provide support to the disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration (DDRRR) process to return and reintegrate foreign combatants not suspected of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or abuses of human rights and their dependents to a peaceful civilian life in their country of origin, or a receptive third country while paying specific attention to the needs of children formerly associated with armed forces and groups; (e) Provide good offices, advice and support to the Government of the DRC to promote human rights and political rights and to fight impunity, including through the implementation of the Government’s “zero tolerance policy” with respect to discipline and human rights and international humanitarian law violations, committed by elements of the security sector; (f) Continue to collaborate with the Government of the DRC in the swift and vigorous implementation of the action plan to prevent and end the recruitment and use of children and sexual violence against children by the FARDC, and continue dialogue with all listed parties to obtain further commitments and work towards the development and implementation of action plans to prevent and end violations and abuses against children;
Support to national reform processes 14. Reiterates the importance of implementing the PSC Framework to the achievement of long term stability of eastern DRC and the region, urges all signatory States of the PSC Framework to continue to fully and promptly implement their commitments in good faith, including not harbouring war criminals, and calls on the Government of DRC, which has the primary responsibility for safeguarding the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, to make further meaningful progress in implementing its commitments under the PSC Framework; 15. Authorizes MONUSCO, in support of the Congolese authorities and their efforts to deliver the reforms called by the PSC Framework and stabilisation in eastern DRC, to contribute to the following tasks, in coordination with the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and other actors, including through the SRSG’s good offices; (a) Promote peace consolidation and inclusive and transparent political dialogue among all Congolese stakeholders with a view to furthering reconciliation and democratization, while ensuring the protection of fundamental freedoms and human rights, paving the way for the holding of elections, consistent with the provisions of paragraph 19 below;
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(b) Monitor, report and follow-up on human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, including in the context of elections, and support the United Nations system in-country to ensure that any support provided by the United Nations shall be consistent with international humanitarian law and human rights law and refugee law as applicable; (c) Provide good offices, advice and support to the Government of the DRC to encourage and accelerate national ownership of security sector reform by the Government of the DRC, including through developing a national strategy for the establishment of effective and accountable security institutions, as well as the development of a clear and comprehensive SSR implementation roadmap including benchmarks and timelines, and play a leading role in coordinating the support for SSR provided by international and bilateral partners and the United Nations system; (d) Provide good offices, advice and support to the Government of the DRC, in compliance with the HRDDP, for army reform that would enhance its accountability, efficiency, self-sustainability and effectiveness, including, the support of a vetted, well-trained and adequately equipped “Rapid Reaction Force” within the FARDC which should form the nucleus for a professional, accountable, well-sustained and effective national defence force, while noting that any support provided by the United Nations, including in the form of rations and fuel, should be subject to appropriate oversight and scrutiny; (e) Provide good offices, advice and support to the Government of the DRC for the reform of the police, including by contributing, in compliance with the HRDDP, to the provision of training to units of the PNC and including human rights training; (f) Provide good offices, advice and support to the Government of the DRC for the development of a national justice strategy, and the implementation of justice and prison sector reform, in order to develop independent, accountable and functioning justice and security institutions; (g) Encourage the consolidation of an effective national civilian structure that controls key mining activities and manages in an equitable manner the extraction, transport, and trade of natural resources in eastern DRC;
PSC Framework 16. Urges the Government of the DRC to remain fully committed to the implementation of the PSC Framework, including through the adoption of a priority action plan, and to protecting the civilian population through the swift establishment of professional, accountable and sustainable security forces, the deployment of an accountable Congolese civil administration, in particular the police, judiciary, prison and territorial administration and the consolidation of rule of law and promotion and protection of human rights; 17. Notes with deep concern the lack of progress up to date in those fields essential for DRC’s stabilization and reiterates its call to the Government of the DRC to take immediate steps to uphold its commitment to SSR, including the support of an effective and sustainable Rapid Reaction Force, and to implement fully and immediately the national DDR programme, all of which will require the allocation of necessary resources and a continued commitment from the Government to prioritize reform;
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United Nations Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region 18. Calls on the United Nations Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, to continue his regional and international engagement in furtherance of peace, stability, and economic development in the DRC and the region, including through the promotion of timely, credible, and inclusive national elections, regional dialogue and by continuing, in close coordination with the United Nations Special Representative for the DRC, to lead, coordinate and assess the implementation of the national and regional commitments under the PSC Framework;
Elections 19. Calls on the Government of the DRC and its national partners to ensure a transparent and credible electoral process, in fulfilment of their primary responsibility to create propitious conditions for the forthcoming elections, including prioritization of those conditions necessary for the presidential and legislative elections scheduled for November 2016 in accordance with the Constitution and urges the Government as well as all relevant parties to ensure an environment conducive to a free, fair, credible, inclusive, transparent, peaceful and timely electoral process, in accordance with the Congolese Constitution and the electoral calendar, which includes free and constructive political debate, freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of assembly, equitable access to media including State media, safety and freedom of movement for all candidates, as well as for election observers and witnesses, journalists, human rights defenders and actors from civil society including women; 20. Welcomes the promulgation of the electoral law and the publication of a comprehensive electoral calendar for the full electoral cycle by the independent national electoral commission (CENI) and calls on the Government of the DRC to put swiftly in place an adequate electoral budget and an electoral code of conduct, and conduct a credible update of the electoral register, to ensure the successful and timely holding of elections, in particular presidential and legislative elections on November 2016, in accordance with the Constitution and the electoral calendar, while respecting the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and further calls upon all stakeholders, to engage into an open political dialogue over the preparation of the upcoming elections, in accordance with the Constitution; 21. Authorizes MONUSCO, only upon notification to the Security Council by the Secretary-General that the conditions outlined in paragraph 20 are being met, to provide logistical support, as appropriate and in coordination with Congolese authorities and the UNCT, to facilitate the electoral cycle, and decides that this support will be continually assessed and reviewed according to the progress made by the Congolese authorities in the steering of the electoral process, in accordance with paragraphs 19 and 20 above;
Armed Groups 22. Strongly condemns all armed groups operating in the region and their violations of international humanitarian law as well as other applicable international law, and abuses of human rights including attacks on the civilian population, MONUSCO peacekeepers and humanitarian actors, summary executions, sexual and gender based violence and large scale recruitment and use of children in violation of
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applicable international law, and reiterates that those responsible must be held accountable; 23. Demands that the FDLR, the ADF, the LRA, and all other armed groups cease immediately all forms of violence and other destabilizing activities, including the exploitation of natural resources, and that their members immediately and permanently disband, lay down their arms and release children from their ranks; 24. Takes note of the commitment of the Government of the DRC in carrying out military operations against the FDLR, further notes the recent launching of initial operations against the FDLR by the FARDC, and stresses the need to carry out operations in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as applicable, and strongly encourages cooperation between the Government of the DRC and MONUSCO on these operations, in accordance with its mandate to ensure all efforts possible are being made to neutralize the FDLR; 25. Condemns the brutal killings of hundreds of civilians in the Beni area, expresses deep concern regarding the persistence of violence in this region, stresses the need for a thorough and prompt investigation into these attacks in order to ensure that those responsible are held to account, calls on the government of the DRC for further military action, in accordance with international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as applicable, and with the support of MONUSCO in accordance with its mandate, to end the threat posed by the ADF and all other armed groups operating in the region; 26. Demands that the Government of the DRC, per its commitments in the Nairobi Declarations of 12 December 2013, take immediate steps to implement and allocate appropriate funding to its DDR Plan, with particular focus on the sustainable reintegration of former combatants, in coordination with the United Nations, international organizations and neighbouring countries where former M23 combatants have found refuge, stresses the importance of overcoming obstacles to the repatriation of these ex-combatants, requests the Governments of the DRC, Uganda and Rwanda to strengthen their collaboration to urgently address the situation of former M23 combatants located in their territories consistent with the Nairobi declarations and in line with commitments under the PSC Framework, and in cooperation with the United Nations and international organizations, and reiterates the importance of ensuring that all provisions of the signed documents are implemented swiftly and in good faith and, in this regard, that the M23 does not regroup, join other armed groups, or, resume military activities, in line with the Nairobi declarations and relevant Security Council resolutions; 27. Calls on the government of the DRC to urgently implement and allocate appropriate funding to its DDR Plan including with regards to weapons and ammunition management activities, in order to be able to effectively deal with former combatants, including those already under FARDC responsibility and acknowledges that the absence of a credible DDR process is preventing armed elements of laying down their weapons; 28. Recognizes the ongoing contribution of MONUSCO in the fight against the LRA, encourages further efforts of the AU-Regional task force (AU-RTF), and urges greater cooperation, including operational cooperation, and informationsharing between MONUSCO, other United Nations Missions in the LRA-affected
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region, the AU-RTF, regional forces, national governments, international actors and non-governmental organizations, as appropriate, in tackling the threat of the LRA;
Human Rights/Humanitarian issues 29. Urges the Government of the DRC to arrest and hold accountable those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law or violations and abuses of human rights, as applicable, in particular those that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as those involving violence or abuses against children and acts of sexual and gender-based violence, stresses the importance to this end of both regional cooperation and cooperation with the ICC, and urges the government of DRC to undertake the necessary judicial reform to ensure that the DRC effectively addresses impunity, 30. Calls upon the Congolese authorities to ensure the prosecution of those responsible for the grave human rights violations and abuses committed in the context of the 28 November 2011 elections; 31. Encourages the Government of the DRC to continue its cooperation with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence, and welcomes the appointment by President Kabila of a Presidential Adviser on Sexual Violence and the Recruitment of Children; 32. Calls upon the Government of the DRC to pursue the full implementation, with the support of MONUSCO as appropriate, of the action plan to prevent and end the recruitment and use of children and sexual violence by the FARDC, and to strengthen its efforts to combat impunity for conflict-related sexual violence, including sexual violence committed by the FARDC, noting that failure to do so may result in the FARDC being named in the Secretary-General’s report on sexual violence, and to provide all necessary services and protection to survivors and victims; 33. Requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary measures to ensure full compliance of MONUSCO with the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuses and to keep the Council informed if cases of such conduct occur; 34. Requests MONUSCO to ensure that any support provided to national security forces is in strict compliance with the United Nations HRDDP, urges the United Nations system in DRC to adopt a join and uniform approach regarding HRDDP implementation, and calls upon the Government of the DRC to work with MONUSCO to support the promotion of DRC security service personnel with reputable human rights records; 35. Demands that all parties allow and facilitate the full, safe, immediate and unhindered access of humanitarian personnel, equipment and supplies and the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to populations in need, in particular to internally displaced persons, throughout the territory of the DRC, respecting the United Nations guiding principles of humanitarian assistance and relevant provisions of international law; 36. Calls on all Member States to generously contribute to the United Nations humanitarian appeal for the DRC to help ensure that United Nations
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humanitarian agencies and other international organizations are fully funded and able to address the protection and assistance needs of internally displaced people, survivors of sexual violence, and other vulnerable communities;
Cooperation with MONUSCO 37. Demands that all relevant parties cooperate fully in the deployment, operations, and monitoring, verification, and reporting functions of MONUSCO, in particular by guaranteeing the safety, security, and unrestricted freedom of movement of United Nations and associated personnel, throughout the territory of the DRC;
Support to the United Nations Group of Experts 38. Expresses its full support to the United Nations Group of Experts established by resolution 1533 (2004) and calls for enhanced cooperation between all States, particularly those in the region, MONUSCO and the Group of Experts, encourages information sharing between MONUSCO and the group of experts and further encourages all parties and all States to ensure cooperation with the Group of Experts by individuals and entities within their jurisdiction or under their control and reiterates its demand that all parties and all States ensure the safety of its members and its support staff, and unhindered and immediate access, in particular to persons, documents and sites the Group of Experts deems relevant to the execution of its mandate;
Exit Strategy 39. Stresses that MONUSCO’s exit should be gradual and progressive, tied to specific targets to be jointly developed by the Government of the DRC and MONUSCO, in consultation with UNCT and other stakeholders; 40. Encourages the Government of the DRC to make effective steps to enter into a regular strategic dialogue with the United Nations, building on the joint assessment process initiated in 2010 to jointly develop a roadmap and exit strategy for MONUSCO, including its Intervention Brigade; 41. Notes the need for a clear exit strategy of the Intervention Brigade, including through sustainable progress in ending the threat of armed groups and the implementation of sustainable SSR which may include the development of a Congolese rapid reaction force, and expresses its intention to review the tasks of the Intervention Brigade on the basis of the evolution of the situation on the ground and the implementation of its tasks according to paragraph 9 of this resolution; 42. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to make recommendations on the transition and reconfiguration of the United Nations presence in the country, based on the comparative advantages of the Mission and the UNCT, in order to continue to streamline the tasks assigned to MONUSCO, and urges the international community and donors to support MONUSCO and the UNCT and calls upon the Government of the DRC and neighbouring States to remain engaged in this process;
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Reports by the Secretary-General 43. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council every three months on the implementation of MONUSCO’s mandate, including its Intervention Brigade, as set out in this resolution, including on: (i) The situation on the ground, including updates on operations to neutralize armed groups and any instances where the Mission’s protection of civilians obligations are not fully met, as well as sexual violence and the impact of conflict on women and children; (ii) Progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the strategic review, notably the measures taken to transform MONUSCO’s Force, including its Intervention Brigade, to become more efficient and effective in implementing its mandate; (iii) Progress made by the DRC in the implementation of its commitments under the PSC Framework, including through the establishment and implementation of a national security sector reform roadmap, its provincial stabilisation plan supported by the ISSSS and on the implementation of the DDR and DDRRR plans; (iv) An assessment of the outcomes of the strategic dialogue with the Congolese authorities on the exit strategy of MONUSCO, including in his September 2015 report recommendations on MONUSCO’s reconfiguration and gradual drawdown, including its Intervention Brigade, in accordance with paragraphs 4 and 6 above; (v) Progress made by the Government of the DRC on the electoral process, including on the provisions of paragraphs 19, 20, and 21 above; (vi) The risks and their implications for the safety and the security for the United Nations personnel and facilities as a result of the possible military operations as well as measures taken to strengthen their security and mitigate risks; 44. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council every six months, in coordination with the United Nations Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region and the United Nations Special Representative for the DRC on the implementation of the commitments under the PSC Framework; 45. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.