SC/8159
                                                                                                30 July 2004

Security Council Extends Democratic Republic of Congo Mission until 1 October, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 1555 (2004)

NEW YORK, 29 July (UN Headquarters) -- The Security Council this morning extended the mandate of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), which was to expire on 31 July, until 1 October.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1555 (2004), the Council recalled that MONUC’s mandate was contained in resolutions 1493 (see Press Release SC/7828 of 28 July 2003) and 1533 (see Press Release SC/8025 of 12 March 2004), which had been adopted under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

The meeting started at 11:28 a.m. and adjourned at 11:31 a.m.

Council Resolution

The full text of Council resolution 1555 (2004) reads, as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous relevant resolutions and statements by its President on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular resolutions 1493 of 28 July 2003 and 1533 of 12 March 2004,

“Reaffirming its commitment to respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and all the States in the region,

“Reiterating its full support to the Government of National Unity and Transition of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

“Deeply concerned by the ongoing tensions and by the continuation of hostilities in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in the provinces of North and South Kivu, as well as in the Ituri district,

“Reaffirming its readiness to support the peace and national reconciliation process, in particular through the United Nations Organization’s Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC),

“Welcoming MONUC’s readiness to take an active part in the joint verification mechanism whose creation was announced by the Presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and of Rwanda in Abuja, on 25 June 2004,

“Noting that the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

“1. Decides to extend the mandate of MONUC, as contained in resolutions 1493 and 1533, both adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, until the 1st October 2004;

“2. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report to the Council, before 16 August 2004, on the execution by MONUC of its mandate,

“3. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

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