Security Council resolution 2211 (2015) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) until 31 Mar. 2016]
Symbol: S/RES/2211 (2015)
Date: 2015-03-26
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/70 [104] UN ORGANIZATION STABILIZATION MISSION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
S/70 [102] DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO SITUATION
S/70 [101] GREAT LAKES REGION (AFRICA)--REGIONAL SECURITY
Subjects: UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo|UN. Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region|Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region (2013)|Charter of the United Nations (1945). Chapter VII|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|INTERNAL SECURITY|POLITICAL CONDITIONS|DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO SITUATION|HUMAN RIGHTS IN ARMED CONFLICTS|ARMED INCIDENTS|ARMS EMBARGO|CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICTS|WOMEN IN ARMED CONFLICTS|GREAT LAKES REGION (AFRICA)|ELECTIONS|HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ANGOLA
vote: yes
country: CHAD
vote: yes
country: CHILE
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: JORDAN
vote: yes
country: LITHUANIA
vote: yes
country: MALAYSIA
vote: yes
country: NEW ZEALAND
vote: yes
country: NIGERIA
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SPAIN
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes
country: VENEZUELA (BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF)
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                     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 human itarian
               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 a gainst
               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 Peac e, 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 conflic t
               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 arme d
               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 thes e
               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 confl icts
               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 increas e
               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 Secretary-General (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 office rs, 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 prog ress 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 fundame ntal 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 calen dar,
               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 co ntinuing 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 effectivel y 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 civili ans 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 co ncerns 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 Protect ion
               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 mit igate 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 estab lished 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 a ll
           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 imp lementation 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 co mmitments 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 contex t 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 compli ance 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, ju diciary,
           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 pr esidential 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 MONUSC O 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 internation al 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 Fr amework, 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 pre venting 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 assi stance 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 organizatio ns 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 o f
           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 th is 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.




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