Security Council resolution 2688 (2023) [on renewal of measures on arms embargo against the Democratic Republic of the Congo imposed by Security Council resolution 2293 (2016) until 1 July 2024 and extension of the mandate of the Group of Experts Established pursuant to Resolution 1533 (2004) until 1 Aug. 2024]
Symbol: S/RES/2688 (2023)
Date: 2023-06-27
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/78 [102] DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO SITUATION
S/ X The situation concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Subjects: UN. Group of Experts Established pursuant to Resolution 1533 (2004)|UN. Security Council Committee Established pursuant to Resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo|Charter of the United Nations (1945). Chapter VII|ARMS EMBARGO|ARMS TRANSFERS|DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO|DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO SITUATION|SANCTIONS COMPLIANCE
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ALBANIA
vote: yes
country: BRAZIL
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: ECUADOR
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: GABON
vote: yes
country: GHANA
vote: yes
country: JAPAN
vote: yes
country: MALTA
vote: yes
country: MOZAMBIQUE
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SWITZERLAND
vote: yes
country: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes

           United Nations                                                                     S/RES/2688 (2023)
           Security Council                                                 Distr.: General
                                                                            27 June 2023




           Resolution 2688 (2023)
           Adopted by the Security Council at its 9360th meeting,
           on 27 June 2023

                The Security Council,
                Recalling its previous resolutions and the statements of its President concerning
           the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),
                  Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, u nity and
           territorial integrity of the DRC as well as all States in the region and emphasising the
           need to respect fully the principles of non-interference, good neighbourliness and
           regional cooperation,
                 Taking note of the final report (S/2023/431) of the Group of Experts on the DRC
           (“the Group of Experts”) established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) and extended
           pursuant to resolutions 1807 (2008), 1857 (2008), 1896 (2009), 1952 (2010), 2021
           (2011), 2078 (2012), 2136 (2014), 2198 (2015), 2293 (2016), 2360 (2017) 2424
           (2018), 2478 (2019), 2528 (2020), 2582 (2021) and 2641 (2022),
                 Expressing concern at the continued presence of domestic and foreign armed
           groups in eastern DRC and the suffering they impose on the civilian population of the
           country, including from international humanitarian law violations and human rights
           violations and abuses, and at reported links between the ADF and terrorist networks,
           which may further exacerbate conflicts and contribute to undermining State authority,
           further expressing concern at the continued illegal exploitation and trade of natural
           resources, which enable these armed groups to operate, strongly condemning support
           of any kind to armed groups, reaffirming its support to national and regional efforts
           to promote peace and stability in the DRC and the Region, and calling on all signatory
           States to fully implement their commitments per the Peace and Security Framework
           for the DRC and the Region,
                Welcoming efforts by the Government of the DRC towards ensuring
           accountability, reiterating the need for the Government of the DRC to fully
           investigate the killing of the two members of the Group of Experts and the four
           Congolese nationals accompanying them and bring those responsible to justice,
           welcoming the work of the United Nations team, known as the Follow-On Mechanism,
           deployed to assist the Congolese authorities in their investigations, in agreement with
           the Congolese authorities, and further welcoming their continued cooperation,
                 Welcoming the report of the Government of the DRC provided pursuant to
           resolution 2667 (2022), stressing the importance of enhancing the safe and effective

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               management, storage and security of stockpiles of weapons and ammunition,
               including to reduce the risk of diversion to armed groups of source materials for
               improvised explosive devices, calling for continued efforts by the Government of the
               DRC and encouraging the United Nations and international partners to increase their
               support to the Government of the DRC in this regard,
                     Stressing that the measures imposed by this resolution are not intended to have
               adverse humanitarian consequences for the civilian population of the DRC and
               recalling resolution 2664 (2022),
                     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,
                     1.    Decides to renew until 1 July 2024 the measures as set out in paragraphs 1
               to 6 of resolution 2293 (2016), including its reaffirmations therein;
                     2.    Reaffirms that measures described in paragraph 5 of resolution 2293
               (2016) shall apply to individuals and entities as designated by the Committee, as set
               forth in paragraph 7 of resolution 2293 (2016), paragraph 3 of resolution 2360 (2017),
               paragraph 3 of resolution 2582 (2021) and paragraph 3 of resolution 2641 (2022) and
               recalls paragraph 1 of resolution 2664 (2022);
                     3.     Reiterates that the measures set forth in paragraph 1 of resolution 1807
               (2008) continue to apply to all non-governmental entities and individuals operating
               in the territory of the DRC;
                     4.   Demands that States ensure that all measures taken by them to implement
               this resolution comply with their obligations under international law, including
               international humanitarian law, international human rights law and international
               refugee law, as applicable;
                     5.    Decides to extend until 1 August 2024 the mandate of the Group of
               Experts, as set forth in paragraph 6 of resolution 2360, expresses its intention to
               review the mandate and take appropriate action regarding the further extension no
               later than 1 July 2024, requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary
               administrative measures as expeditiously as possible to re-establish the Group of
               Experts, in consultation with the Committee, drawing, as appropriate, on the expertise
               of the members of the Group established pursuant to previous resolutions and
               reaffirms the importance of ensuring the safety and security of the mem bers of the
               Group of Experts;
                     6.    Calls for enhanced cooperation between all States, particularly those in
               the region, and the Group of Experts and requests the Group of Experts to provide to
               the Council, after discussion with the Committee, a midterm report no later than
               30 December 2023, and a final report no later than 15 June 2024, as well as submit
               monthly updates to the Committee, except in the months where the midterm and final
               reports are due;
                    7.   Reaffirms the reporting provisions as set out in resolutions 2360 (2017)
               and 2478 (2019);
                     8.    Recalls the Guidelines of the Committee for the Conduct of its Work as
               adopted by the Committee on 6 August 2010, and calls on Member states to use, as
               appropriate, the procedures and criteria therein, including on the issues of listing and
               delisting and recalls resolution 1730 (2006) in that regard;
                    9.   Recalls the Secretary-General’s commitment that the United Nations will
               do everything possible to ensure that the perpetrators of the killing of the two
               members of the Group of Experts and the four Congolese nationals accompanying

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           them are brought to justice and stresses the importance of a continued deployment by
           the Secretary General of the Follow-on Mechanism, currently comprising a senior
           United Nations official, four technical experts and support staff, to the Democratic
           Republic of the Congo to assist with the national investigation, within existing
           resources;
                10.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.




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