SC/8622
1 February 2006
Security Council Requests Re-Establishment of Expert Group to Monitor Democratic Republic of Congo Arms Embargo
Resolution 1654 (2006) Adopted Unanimously; Group's Mandate Will Run through 31 July 2006
NEW YORK, 31 January (UN Headquarters) -- The Security Council, determined to closely monitor compliance with the arms embargo it imposed on the Democratic Republic of the Congo in July 2003 and expanded in April 2005, and the travel ban and assets freeze on those in violation of it, today asked the Secretary-General to re-establish through 31 July 2006 the four-person expert group to help monitor illicit arms flows into the country.
Unanimously adopting resolution 1654 (2006) under Chapter VII, the Council asked the expert group, to be re-established within 30 days of adoption of the text, to continue fulfilling its mandate as defined in resolutions 1533 (2004), 1596 (2005) and 1649 (2005), to update the Committee established in accordance with resolution 1533 (2004), and to report to the Council in writing, through the Committee, before 10 July 2006.
Resolutions 1533 (2004) and 1596 (2005) mandate the experts to, among other tasks, examine and analyse information gathered by the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), countries of the region, and others, on arms flows, and to recommend ways of improving the capabilities of States, particularly those in the region, to comply with the embargo.
Resolution 1649 (2005) asks the group to help identify the political and military leaders of foreign armed groups operating in the country who impede the disarmament and voluntary repatriation or resettlement of combatants, as well as the political and military leaders of Congolese militias receiving support from outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly those operating in Ituri, who impeded participation of their combatants in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes.
Further to today's text, the Council reaffirmed its demand that all parties and all States cooperate fully with the work of the expert group and that they ensure the safety of their members and the unhindered and immediate access to persons, documents and sites it seems relevant to the execution of its mandate.
The meeting was called to order at 10:15 a.m. and adjourned at 10:19 a.m.
Council Resolution
The full text of resolution 1654 (2006) reads, as follows:
"The Security Council,
"Recalling its previous resolutions concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular resolutions 1616 of 29 July 2005 and 1649 of 21 December 2005,
"Declaring its determination to closely monitor compliance with the arms embargo imposed by resolution 1493 and expanded by resolution 1596, and to enforce the measures provided for in paragraphs 13 and 15 of resolution 1596 against persons and entities acting in violation of this embargo,
"Noting that the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,
"Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
"1. Requests the Secretary-General, in consultation with the Committee established in accordance with paragraph 8 of resolution 1533, to re-establish the Group of Experts referred to in paragraph 10 of resolution 1533 and paragraph 21 of resolution 1596, within thirty days from the date of adoption of this resolution and for a period expiring on 31 July 2006;
"2. Requests the Group of Experts to continue fulfilling its mandate as defined in resolutions 1533, 1596 and 1649, to update the Committee on its work by 10 April 2006, and to report to the Council in writing, through the Committee, before 10 July 2006;
"3. Reaffirms its demand that all parties and all States cooperate fully with the work of the Group of Experts, and that they ensure:
-- the safety of their members;
-- unhindered and immediate access, in particular to persons, documents and sites the Group of Experts deems relevant to the execution of its mandate;
"4. Decides to remain seized of the matter."
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