Security Council resolution 2277 (2016) [on extension of the mandate of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) until 31 Mar. 2017]
Symbol: S/RES/2277 (2016)
Date: 2016-03-30
Status: adopted
Agenda: S/71 [104] UN ORGANIZATION STABILIZATION MISSION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
S/71 [102] DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO SITUATION
S/71 [101] GREAT LAKES REGION (AFRICA)--REGIONAL SECURITY
S/ X The situation concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Subjects: UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo|Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda|UN. Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region|UN. Group of Experts Established pursuant to Resolution 1533 (2004)|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|PEACEBUILDING|ELECTIONS|HUMAN RIGHTS IN ARMED CONFLICTS|PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS|INTERNAL SECURITY|POLITICAL CONDITIONS|DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO SITUATION|CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICTS|HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE|ARMS EMBARGO|REPORT PREPARATION
Votes in favour: 15
Votes against: 0
Abstentions: 0
Voting record:
country: ANGOLA
vote: yes
country: CHINA
vote: yes
country: EGYPT
vote: yes
country: FRANCE
vote: yes
country: JAPAN
vote: yes
country: MALAYSIA
vote: yes
country: NEW ZEALAND
vote: yes
country: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
vote: yes
country: SENEGAL
vote: yes
country: SPAIN
vote: yes
country: UKRAINE
vote: yes
country: UNITED KINGDOM
vote: yes
country: UNITED STATES
vote: yes
country: URUGUAY
vote: yes
country: VENEZUELA (BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF)
vote: yes

               United Nations                                                                     S/RES/2277 (2016)
               Security Council                                                 Distr.: General
                                                                                30 March 2016




               Resolution 2277 (2016)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 7659th meeting, on
               30 March 2016

                    The Security Council,
                    Recalling its previous resolutions and the statements of its President
               concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), especially its resolutions
               2211 (2015), 2198 (2015), 2147 (2014), 2136 (2014), and 2098 (2013),
                     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 co ncerned,
                      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,
                    Recalling 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,
                    Recalling the commitments under the PSC Framework by all States of the
               region not to interfere in the internal affairs of neighbouring countries, and to
               neither tolerate nor provide assistance or support of any kind to armed groups,
                      Noting that eastern DRC has continued to suffer from recurring cycles of
               conflict and persistent violence by armed groups, both Congolese and foreign,
               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, expressing particular concern at the reports of growing inter-communal
               violence in some areas of eastern DRC, 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), and all other armed groups in the
               DRC, and recognizing the efforts of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) in that
               regard,
                    Expressing concern at the illegal exploitation and trafficking of natural
               resources by armed groups, and the negative impact of armed conflict on protected
               natural areas, which undermines lasting peace and development for the DRC, and
               encouraging the Government of the DRC to continue efforts to safeguard those areas,
                     Remaining deeply concerned by the persistent high levels of violence and
               violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian
               law, condemning in particular those involving targeted attacks against civilians,
               widespread sexual and gender-based violence, recruitment and use of children by
               certain parties to the conflict, the forced 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
               emphasizing that all those responsible for all such violations and abuses must be
               swiftly apprehended, brought to justice and held accountable,
                     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 1.6 million, and the 170,000 refugees in the DRC, as well as the over
               450,000 refugees from eastern DRC as a result of ongoing hostilities, as well as
               violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human
               rights, 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 in conditions of safety and dignity, with the support, as
               appropriate, of the United Nations Country Team, stressing that any such solution
               should be in line with relevant obligations under international refugee law,
               international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and stressing the
               need to manage the closure of camps in a manner that respects the rights of
               internally displaced persons, in accordance with international law,
                    Expressing further concern at increased impediments to humanitarian access
               in eastern DRC resulting from insecurity, and attacks against humanitarian actors
               and assets, and calling upon all parties in the conflict to respect the impartiality,
               independence and neutrality of humanitarian actors,
                     Noting with deep concern the delays in the preparation of the presidential
               elections scheduled for November 2016, in accordance with the Constitution, and
               that the update of the electoral register has not yet begun,
                    Stressing the crucial importance of a peaceful and credible electoral cycle, in
               accordance with the Constitution, for stabilization and consolidation of


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           constitutional democracy in the DRC, expressing deep concern at increased
           restrictions of the political space in the DRC, in particular recent arrests and
           detention of members of the political opposition and of civil society, as well as
           restrictions of fundamental freedoms such as the freedom of expression and opinion,
           and recalling the need for an open, inclusive and peaceful political dialogue among
           all stakeholders focused on the holding of elections, 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, while
           respecting the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance,
                 Remaining deeply concerned by reports of increased serious human rights and
           international humanitarian law violations committed by some members of the
           FARDC, the National Intelligence Agency (ANR), the Republican Guard and
           Congolese National Police (PNC), including against members of the opposition and
           of civil society in the context of the electoral process, urging all parties to refrain
           from violence and provocation, and emphasizing that the Government of the DRC
           must respect human rights and comply with the principle of proportionality in the
           use of force,
                 Welcoming the agreement between the Independent National Electoral
           Commission (CENI) and the National Human Rights Commission to monitor and
           investigate all allegations of human rights violations and abuses before, during and
           after the electoral process, noting with concern the lack of progress in the
           investigations against alleged perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses
           committed during the 2011 electoral process as well as reports of
           instrumentalization of judicial institutions for political purposes, and calling for
           further efforts to hold those responsible to account,
                 Recalling the importance of fighting impunity within all ranks of the FARDC
           and PNC, commending the DRC authorities for recent prosecutions and
           condemnations of FARDC and PNC 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,
                 Taking note of the adoption by the National Assembly of the law implementing
           the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Dece mber 2015,
           stressing the need for continued cooperation with the ICC by the Government of the
           DRC, and stressing the importance of actively seeking to hold accountable those
           responsible for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in the country,
                 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, and welcoming efforts of the Government of the DRC in this regard,
                 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,




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                     Welcoming the efforts of the Government of the DRC, including the
               Presidential Adviser on Sexual Violence and the Recruitment of Children, to
               cooperate with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and
               Armed Conflict, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual
               Violence, and MONUSCO, to implement the action plan to prevent and end the
               recruitment and use of children and sexual violence by the FARDC, and to combat
               impunity for conflict-related sexual violence, including sexual violence committed
               by the FARDC,
                    Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2014/181) which
               includes a list of parties credibly suspected of committing patterns of rape or other
               forms of sexual violence in situations of armed conflict, being on the Security
               Council agenda,
                     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,
                    Reaffirming its strong support to the Special Representative of the Secretary -
               General for the DRC and MONUSCO in the implementation of their mandate, and
               strongly encouraging the continuation of their efforts,
                     Stressing the urgency of resuming joint operations between FARDC and
               MONUSCO against armed groups, welcoming that on 28 January 2016 the
               Government of the DRC and MONUSCO committed to resume cooperation with a
               view to carrying out joint military operations against the FDLR, as well as other
               armed groups, including the ADF, and strongly encouraging the urgent resumption
               of such operations,
                     Recalling that it is important that all MONUSCO contingents, including the
               contingents of the Intervention Brigade, are properly prepared and effectively
               equipped, staffed 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,
                     Emphasizing that MONUSCO’s activities should be conducted in such a
               manner as to facilitate post-conflict peacebuilding, prevention of relapse into armed
               conflict and progress towards sustainable peace and development,
                     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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           PSC Framework
                 1.   Reiterates that fulfilment of the commitments made by the Government
           of the DRC and all signatory States under the PSC Framework remains essential to
           the achievement of long term stability of eastern DRC and the region, and urges the
           signatories to redouble their efforts in order to fully and promptly implement their
           commitments in good faith, including not harbouring war criminals;
                 2.    Calls on the Government of DRC, which has the primary responsibility
           for safeguarding the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrit y, to make further
           meaningful progress in implementing its commitments under the PSC Framework,
           in particular as regards the consolidation of State authority, reconciliation, tolerance
           and democracy, and to remain fully committed 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;
                 3.   Notes with deep concern the limited progress in those fields essential for
           the DRC’s stabilization and reiterates its call to the Government of the DRC to take
           further steps to uphold its national commitments to Security Sector Reform (SSR),
           including the support of an effective and sustainable Rapid Reaction Force, and to
           implement fully and immediately the national Disarmament, Demobilization and
           Reintegration (DDR) programme, all of which will require the allocation of
           necessary resources to the implementation of these critical processes;
                  4.   Calls for continued national efforts to address the threat posed by the
           illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small ar ms and light
           weapons, including inter alia through ensuring the safe and effective management,
           storage and security of their stockpiles of weapons and ammunition, with the
           continued support of MONUSCO, as appropriate and within existing resources;
                 5.    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 Secretary-General Special
           Representative for the DRC, to lead, coordinate and assess the implementation of
           the national and regional commitments under the PSC Framework, as well as to
           continue his engagement in regional initiatives with key partners to address the
           underlying root causes of conflict;
                 6.   Takes note of the United Nations Great Lakes Region Strategic
           Framework, and urges the donor community to provide the necessary support to
           help its implementation;

           Political situation
                 7.    Calls on the Government of the DRC and its national partners, including
           the CENI, 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;


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                    8.    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, 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;
                     9.    Calls for the publication of a revised comprehensive electoral calendar
               for the full electoral cycle by the 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 without delay 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, while respecting
               the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, and further calls
               upon all stakeholders, to engage into an open and inclusive political dialogue over
               the holding of presidential elections, in accordance with the Constitution;
                     10. Underlines the importance of credible dialogue to ensure peaceful and
               credible presidential and legislative elections, in line with the Constitution,
               expresses support for the decision taken by the AU to undertake consultatio ns on
               this dialogue, urges all national stakeholders to extend cooperation to the AU in this
               regard, and requests the Secretary-General to provide political support to these
               efforts consistent with this resolution, including through his good offices;

               Human Rights
                     11. Urges the Government of the DRC to 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, including those committed in the context of the electoral process,
               and stresses the importance to this end of both regional cooperation and cooperation
               with the ICC;
                    12. Calls upon the Congolese authorities to ensure the prosecution of tho se
               responsible for the crimes involving grave human rights violations and abuses
               committed in the context of the 28 November 2011 elections and current electoral
               process;
                     13. Welcomes efforts made by the Government of the DRC to combat and
               prevent sexual violence in conflict, including progress made in the fight against
               impunity through the arrest, prosecution and conviction of perpetrators from the
               FARDC and the PNC, and encourages the Government of the DRC to continue to
               strengthen its efforts in this area, including through the full implementation of 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;
                    14. Calls upon the Government of the DRC to continue its efforts to combat
               impunity for conflict-related sexual violence, including sexual violence committed
               by the FARDC at all levels, noting that failure to do so may result in the FARDC
               being named again in future Secretary-General's reports on sexual violence, and to



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           provide all necessary services and protection to survivors and victims, and further
           calls upon the Government of the DRC to take the necessary steps to ensure full
           compliance of its security forces with the zero-tolerance policy on sexual
           exploitation and abuses, and to take steps to institutionalize the mechanisms put in
           place to prevent and end the recruitment and use of children and sexual violence by
           the FARDC;
                 15. Welcomes the progress made in the implementation of the Action Plan to
           prevent and end the recruitment and use of children by the FARDC, and calls upon
           the Government of the DRC to take all necessary steps to end and prevent violations
           and abuses against children, including those involving enlistment or detention of
           children by the FARDC;

           Armed Groups
                 16. 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 those involving attacks on the civilian
           population, United Nations personnel and humanitarian actors, summary executions,
           sexual and gender based violence and large scale recruitment and use of children in
           violation of applicable international law, and reiterates that those responsible must
           be held accountable;
                 17. 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, and
           recalls in this regard its resolution 2198 (2015) renewing the sanctions regime
           established by its resolution 1807 (2008);
               18. Calls for the urgent resumption of joint operations by the FARDC and
           MONUSCO, in accordance with its mandate, to ensure all efforts possible are being
           made to neutralize the FDLR and other armed groups and stresses the need to carry
           out operations in accordance with international law, including international
           humanitarian law and international human rights law, as applicable;
                 19. Reiterates that the durable neutralization of the FDLR remains essential
           in bringing stability to and protecting civilians of the DRC and the Great Lakes
           region, recalls 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, encourages the Government of the DRC, with the support of
           the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, to engage
           regional actors to find a durable solution to the repatriation of disarmed FDLR
           members and dependents, and encourages further disarmament of FDLR active
           leadership and combatants;
                 20. Condemns the brutal killings of more than 500 civilians in the Beni area
           since October 2014, 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 to take further military action, in accordance with



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               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;
                     21. Requests the Governments of the DRC, Uganda and Rwanda to
               strengthen their collaboration to ensure the repatriation of former M23 combatants
               located in their territories consistent with the Nairobi declarations and in line with
               commitments under the PSC Framework, calls upon the former M23 leadership to
               cooperate fully with the repatriation of former combatants consistent with its
               commitment under the Nairobi declarations, 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;
                     22. Calls on the Government of the DRC to continue to implement and
               provide without delay appropriate funding to its DDR Plan including with regards to
               reintegration, training, and preparation for resettlement in communities, as well as
               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 from laying down their weapons;
                     23. Recognizes the ongoing contribution of MONUSCO and FARDC 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
               information-sharing between MONUSCO, other United Nations Missions in the
               LRA-affected region, the AU-RTF, regional forces, national governments,
               international actors and non-governmental organisations, as appropriate, in tackling
               the threat of the LRA;

               MONUSCO’s mandate
                    24. Decides to extend until 31 March 2017 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;
                    25. Decides that MONUSCO will maintain an authorized troop ceiling of
               19,815 military personnel, 760 military observers and staff officers, 391 police
               personnel, and 1,050 personnel of formed police units;
                    26. Takes note of the recommendation of the Secretary-General in his letter
               of 16 December 2015 (S/2015/983) to reduce the MONUSCO Force by 1,700
               troops, taking into account progress in the development of an exit strategy and in
               addressing the threat posed by armed groups;
                     27. Recalls the reduction of the MONUSCO Force by 2,000 troops endorsed
               in paragraph 3 of its resolution 2211 (2015), reaffirms its intention to make the
               troop reduction permanent through a revised troop ceiling, and to consider any
               further troop reduction once significant progress has been achieved regarding the
               priorities of MONUSCO’s mandate, consistent with paragraph 29 below, and
               requests the Secretary-General to report specifically on this issue in his next report
               pursuant to paragraph 50 below;




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                       28. Reiterates that any 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 objectives set out in paragraph 29 a) and b) below;
                       29. Decides that the strategic priorities of MONUSCO are to contribute to
                 the following objectives:
                       (a) Protection of civilians, through a comprehensive approach involving all
                 components of MONUSCO, including through reduction of t he threat posed by
                 Congolese and foreign armed groups and of 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, and
                 through support to the creation of an environment conducive to peaceful, credible
                 and timely elections reducing the risk of instability, including open political space,
                 and promotion and protection of human rights;
                       30. Reiterates that multi-dimensional peacekeeping requires a comprehensive
                 approach, and further requests all components of the MONUSCO Force as well as its
                 police and the civilian components to work together in an integrated way;
                       31. Notes that drivers behind different armed groups' activities are varied and
                 that there is no purely military solution to the problem of armed groups, underlines
                 the importance of enhanced political and conflict analysis to inform comprehensive
                 military and civil responses to these armed groups across MONUSCO, including
                 through collecting and analysing information on the criminal networks which
                 support these armed groups, and further underlines the need for tailored responses
                 in tackling armed groups;
                       32. Stresses the need for coordination and cooperation between the
                 Government of the DRC and other national authorities, United Na tions entities and
                 development actors to stabilize, improve security situation and assist in restoration
                 of State authority;
                       33. Reaffirms that the protection of civilians must be given priority in
                 decisions about the use of available capacity and resourc es;
                       34. Authorizes MONUSCO, in pursuit of the objectives described in
                 paragraph 29 above, to take all necessary measures to carry out its mandate within
                 its capabilities and areas of deployment;
                       35. Decides that the mandate of MONUSCO shall include the following
                 priority tasks, bearing in mind that these tasks as well as those in paragraph 36
                 below are mutually reinforcing tasks:

           (i)   Protection of civilians
                       (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



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               personnel and human rights defenders, with a focus on violence emerging from any
               of the parties engaged in the conflict, as well as in the context of elections, and
               mitigating the risk to civilians before, during and after any military operation;
                     (b) 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 accelerate the coordinated implementation of monitoring, analysis
               and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence;
                     (c) Enhance its interaction with civilians to raise awareness and
               understanding about its mandate and activities through a comprehensive public
               outreach programme, to strengthen its early warning mechanism, and to increase its
               efforts to monitor and document violations of international humanitarian law and
               violations and abuses of human rights, including in the context of elections;
                     (d) Neutralize 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 operatio ns 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 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;
                    (e) 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;
                     (f) Provide good offices, advice and support to the Government of the DRC,
               in close cooperation with other international partners, in the 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 International Security and
               Stabilization Support Strategy (ISSSS), while paying specific attention to the needs
               of children formerly associated with armed forces and groups;
                     (g) 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 again st 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;



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           (ii)    Political situation
                         (a) Promote peace consolidation and inclusive and transparent political
                   dialogue among all Congolese stakeholders, consistent with the Constitution, with a
                   view to furthering reconciliation and democratization, while ensuring the pro tection
                   of fundamental freedoms and human rights, paving the way for the holding of
                   elections, consistent with the provisions of paragraph 8 above;
                         (b) Monitor, report to the Security Council, and follow-up on human rights
                   violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, including in
                   the context of elections, to report on restrictions on political space and violence in
                   the context of the 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 technical assistance and logistical support for the revision of the
                   electoral register, and, only upon notification to the Security Council by the
                   Secretary-General that the conditions outlined in paragraph 8 are being met, 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, particularly on presidential
                   elections, in accordance with paragraphs 7, 8 and 9 above;
                         (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) Provide good offices, advice and support to the Government of the DRC
                   to promote human rights, in particular civil and political rig hts, 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;

           (iii)   Stabilisation
                         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 ISSSS and related Provincial Stabilization Plans, and lead the coordination
                   and oversight of the ISSSS;




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         (iv)   Protection of the United Nations
                     Ensure the protection of United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and
                equipment and the security and freedom of movement of United Nations and
                associated personnel;
                     36. Further authorizes MONUSCO to use its capacities for the following
                essential tasks:

          (i)   Security Sector Reform (SSR)
                      (a) 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;
                     (b) 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;
                     (c) 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, training, vetting and effectiveness,
                while noting that any support provided by the UN, including in the form of rations
                and fuel, should be subject to appropriate oversight and scrutiny;
                      (d) Provide good offices, advice and support to the Govern ment of the DRC
                for the implementation of any appropriate recommendations for justice and prison
                sector reforms as contained in the final report of the Etats generaux de la Justice,
                including on the fight against impunity, for genocide, war crimes and crim es against
                humanity, in order to develop independent, accountable and functioning justice and
                security institutions;

         (ii)   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
                exchange relevant information with the Group of Experts;

        (iii)   Mining activities
                      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;



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           Child protection, Sexual Violence and Abuse
                 37. 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;
                 38. Requests MONUSCO to take fully into account gender considerations as
           a crosscutting 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 stabilisation activities, SSR and 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;
                 39. Recalls its Presidential statement S/PRST/2015/22 and its resolution
           2272 (2016), 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 fully informed
           through his reports to the Council about the Mission’s progress in this regard, and
           urges troop- and police-contributing countries to take appropriate preventative
           action including predeployment awareness training, and to ensure full accountability
           in cases of such conduct involving their personnel;
                40. Requests MONUSCO to ensure that any support provided to national
           security forces is in strict compliance with the United Nations HRDDP, 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;

           Humanitarian Access
                 41. 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;
                 42. Calls on all Member States to generously contribute to the United
           Nations humanitarian appeal for the DRC to help ensure that United Nations
           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;

           Support to the Group of Experts
                 43. Expresses its full support to the United Nations Group of Experts
           established by resolution 1533 (2004), calls for enhanced cooperation between all
           States, particularly those in the region, MONUSCO and the Group of Experts,
           encourages timely information exchange between MONUSCO and the Group of
           Experts, 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


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               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 acce ss, in
               particular to persons, documents and sites the Group of Experts deems relevant to
               the execution of its mandate;

               Force transformation and Exit strategy
                     44. 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;
                     45. 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 and to strengthen the performance of the Force, bearing in mind the
               safety and security of all military contingents, police officers, military observers,
               and especially unarmed observers;
                    46. 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;
                     47. Reiterates its call to the Government of the DRC to make further steps to
               enter into a regular strategic dialogue with the United Nations, building on the jo int
               assessment process initiated in 2010 to jointly develop a roadmap and exit strategy
               for MONUSCO, including its Intervention Brigade;
                    48. Reiterates 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, requests the Secretary-General to report by
               December 2016 on the implementation of the tasks of the Intervention Brigade on
               the basis of the evolution of the situation on the ground, its integration within
               MONUSCO and its effectiveness, as well as on the progress of the transformation of
               the Force;
                     49. 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;

               Reports by the Secretary-General
                    50. 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




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           obligations are not fully met, as well as sexual violence and the impact of conflict
           on women and children;
                 (ii) progress made by the DRC on protecting human rights, on the electoral
           process, including on the provisions of paragraphs 7, 8 and 9 above, and in the
           implementation of its commitments under the PSC Framework, including through
           the establishment and implementation of a national SSR roadmap, its provincial
           stabilisation plan supported by the ISSSS and on the imp lementation of the DDR
           and DDRRR plans;
                (iii) progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the strategic
           review, notably the measures taken to transform MONUSCO’s Force, including the
           deployment of rapidly deployable battalions, to become more efficient and effective
           in implementing its mandate;
                (iv) progress on the definition of an exit strategy for MONUSCO, including
           the Intervention Brigade, and an assessment of the outcomes of the strategic
           dialogue with the Congolese authorities;
                (v) 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;
                 51. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council every six
           months, in coordination with the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great
           Lakes Region and the Special Representative of the Secretary -General for the DRC
           on the implementation of the commitments under the PSC Framework, and requests
           the Secretary-General to conduct a strategic review of the mandate of his Special
           Envoy for the Great Lakes Region by 30 September 2016 in order to present
           recommendations for the Special Envoy to better support Member States in the full
           implementation of their commitments under the PSC Framework, in full
           complementarity with MONUSCO, and taking into consideration the evolving
           challenges facing the region;
                 52. Requests the Secretary-General to provide an update to the Council in his
           next report pursuant to paragraph 50 on the ways in which MONUSCO will be best
           prepared to address security risks and to monitor and report on human rights
           violations and abuses in the context of the elections, including in ter ms of
           deployment of the Force in areas identified as potential zones of instability and
           configuration of civilian and police component of MONUSCO;
                53.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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