The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution extending an arms embargo on armed groups in Congo, which is facing an upsurge in violence in the mineral-rich east, with Russia, China and its three African members abstaining.
Congo’s government has repeatedly called for the lifting of a requirement that it give advance notice of any shipments of arms and military supplies as well as military assistance it receives to the Security Council committee monitoring sanctions on the country.
The requirement was eased in the French-drafted resolution that was adopted by a vote of 10-0. The five countries that abstained backed Congo and wanted the requirement lifted.
The resolution maintains the arms embargo on rebel groups as well as asset freezes and travel bans on individuals and entities until 1 July 2023.
It also extends the mandate of the panel of experts monitoring sanctions until 1 August 2023.
France’s UN ambassador, Nicolas De Riviere, said Congo’s request to lift the notification procedure had been heard and the resolution adopted Thursday “significantly eases this procedure” in order to support Congolese armed forces reforms.
But it doesn’t end the requirement.
The resolution was adopted a day after the UN special envoy for Congo warned that the M23 rebel group has increasingly acted as a conventional army during escalating military action in the volatile east and could threaten the UN peacekeeping force responsible for protecting civilians.
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