DRC: UN Mission Chief Stresses Reform of Security And Law to End Violence

The head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) cautioned today that military operations alone in the restive eastern region cannot ensure long-term security in the area, stressing the need to build the capacity of the country's military, justice system and the police force.

"The general discussion of future strategy in the DRC includes a central focus on 'security sector reform,' which covers a vast range of activities, from training and operations of the military, to military and civilian justice systems and police training and reform," Roger Meece, the Special Representative of the Secretary General in the DRC, said in a briefing to the Security Council.

He said that the recent mass rape in North Kivu province had demonstrated the vulnerability of civilians, and had compelled the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) to review its procedures and take additional steps to protect people.

He added that the Mission has expanded the number of bases in eastern DRC, and had helped the Congolese authorities in arresting a rebel leader implicated in the mass rape, a man known as Lieutenant Colonel Mayele.

"I must note, however, even good short-term military operations alone will not be sufficient to ensure long-term security," Mr. Meece said, noting that illegal armed groups operated in many widely dispersed areas, not only in proximity to villages and towns, but often intermixed with the civilian population.

"In this vast area - larger than the size of Afghanistan - it is not possible for MONUSCO to ensure full protection for all civilians," Mr. Meece said.

He said the DRC Government had requested MONUSCO to significantly expand its police training support in an effort to improve State capacity to protect civilians.

"This will require significantly increased donor as well as UN resources, and we welcome all expressions of support. One key element will be the provision of equipment to trained police personnel and units, something MONUSCO lacks the legal authority to provide under our existing mandate," Mr. Meece said.

The illegal exploitation of minerals in the eastern DRC remained a factor that exacerbated insecurity in the area, the official said, stressing the need for the establishment of a mining regulatory mechanism in the country.

"Simultaneous efforts are required on a number of fronts, from, amongst many other things, bolstering domestic Congolese capabilities to international efforts to establish an acceptable regulatory framework for the mineral trade," Mr. Meece said.

He said that MONUSCO had also completed initial logistics planning to support DRC's general elections in November next year, noting that peacekeeping activities have to go hand in hand with peacebuilding and support of socio-economic recovery.

"Both ourselves and other international partners, of course, are also engaged and focused on security sector reform, including military training, including improving observance of human rights that is very much a part of the long-term answer for stability in the Congo," the Special Representative told reporters following today's Council meeting.

In his latest report to the Security Council on MONUSCO, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the DRC has made significant progress and could benefit from a number of positive developments, but persistent challenges and certain negative trends, if not addressed, could reverse the gains.

Overall, the security situation in the east remains of serious concern, he writes. In North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, repeated attacks against civilians by illegal armed groups have increased, he notes.

He expresses concern that bilateral support for the reform of DRC's national army, the FARDC, may be waning, and urges the Government and its international partners to work together, with the support of MONUSCO, towards making real progress in the reform process.

"I also strongly encourage both the Government and Member States to intensify their efforts to support the deployment, equipping and sustainment of basic institutions of State authority where they are most needed, particularly at the local level.

"In this regard, full support should be provided to the initial efforts by MONUSCO, as outlined in the present report, to build up the national police services, as requested by the Government," Mr. Ban says.