Article author:
Associated Press
Edith M. Rederer
United Nations (AP) — The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on Thursday to extend the arms embargo on armed groups in Congo. .. A surge in violence in the mineral-rich eastern part. Russia, China, and their three African members have abstained.
The Government of Congo has repeatedly called for the removal of the requirement to give advance notice of the shipment of weapons and munitions and military assistance to the Security Council, which oversees national sanctions.
A French resolution adopted by a 10-0 vote relaxed the requirements. Five countries that supported Congo and wanted to lift the requirement.
The resolution will maintain arms embargoes, asset freezes, and individual and group travel bans on rebel groups until July 1, 2023. We will also extend the mission of the Expert Committee to monitor sanctions until August 1. 2023.
France's UN ambassador, Nicholas de Riviere, was asked by Congo to lift the notification process, and a resolution adopted Thursday was to support the reform of the Congolese army. "We will significantly ease this procedure," he said. But that doesn't end the requirement.
"France regrets that this advance, which is certainly partial but reflects the balance of the Security Council's position, was not unanimously supported," he said. rice field. "We hope that measures that remain effective will evolve in the future, in line with national efforts to combat the trafficking of weapons and the spread of weapons."
The resolution is that the UN Special Envoy of Congo will act as an increasingly regular army of M23 rebel groups during the intensification of military action in the unstable east, and will be responsible for the protection of civilians. army.
Bintou Keita relieves tensions on the Security Council over M23 rebels and other armed groups that are causing fear of war between neighboring countries between Congo and Rwanda. Requested full support for local efforts. Congo accused Rwanda of supporting the M23, which Rwanda has long denied. Countries have blamed the other of the recent invasions.
East Rwanda borders eastern Congo every day from dozens of armed groups competing for some of the region's abundant mineral resources that the world uses for electric vehicles, laptops and mobile phones. Is under threat. One of the most notorious rebel groups, the M23, surged this year and occupied a major trading city in eastern Congo this month.
The resolution expressed concern about "the continued existence of domestic and foreign armed groups" in eastern Congo and the suffering it imposes on national civilians, including human rights abuses. ing. .. The situation in Congo "continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region."
After the vote, the Chinese ambassador to the Zhang army, 18 years after sanctions were imposed to curb the violent activity of armed groups, the government's "security capacity is constrained."
Faced with deteriorating security and the M23 rebellion, he said that Congolese security forces facing arms bans and other factors "do not have sufficient security capabilities" to respond. Stated.
Mr. Zhang said that members of the Chinese and African council (Kenya, Gabon, Ghana) supported the removal of the government's military supplies notification requirement, but some members said. He said he faced the opposition.
Despite the relaxation of the notice in the resolution, he said, "The resolution will continue to obey the compulsory notice for most of the weapons and equipment needed by (Congo) security forces. ".
At the Council on Wednesday, three African members claimed that Congo's "current notification requirements remain an unnecessary bureaucratic obstacle that violates Congo's sovereignty." And issued a joint statement in support of the Congolese government's demands.
