S/PV.6943 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to participate in this meeting. On behalf of the Council, I welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and la Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Council, His Excellency Mr. Raymond Tshibanda N’tungamulongo. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2013/195, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by France, Togo and the United States of America. I also wish to draw Council members’ attention to document S/2013/119, which contains the special report of the Secretary-General on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2098 (2013). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Security Council who wish to make statements following the voting.

I welcome the presence in the Chamber of Mr. Raymond Tshibanda N’tungamulongo, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and la Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I take the floor on behalf of my Government to explain our vote on resolution 2098 (2013), which has just been adopted. I should also thank the delegation of France for preparing the resolution and conducting the negotiations on it. I should like also to thank all of the members of the Security Council for their very valuable contributions, which led to a significant improvement of the text. Rwanda voted in favour of the resolution because we believe that it is an important instrument for the implementation of the Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, signed on 24 February in Addis Ababa under the initiative of the Secretary-General, to whom we would like to express our appreciation. We applaud the creation of an Intervention Brigade within the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which, as the Council will recall, is a regional initiative. We hope that the brigade will be able to support the Congolese Government in its efforts to strengthen its territorial integrity. We await with interest the operationalization of the Brigade and believe that it should bolster the peace process in the region, including the Kampala talks. It is therefore important that it focus on the negative forces that are active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR), which, let me recall here, are responsible for the genocide perpetrated in Rwanda against the Tutsis in 1994 and who made sexual violence into a weapon of war in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We would like also to recall that resolution 1925 (2010) mandated MONUSCO to promote strategies aimed at achieving a lasting settlement to the FDLR problem, especially through the repatriation, reintegration and reinstallation of the persons concerned to other regions, or judicial prosecution as appropriate. Unfortunately, despite some progress, that objective has not yet been met, and FLDR forces, which twice attacked Rwanda towards the end of last year, continue to pose a threat to Rwanda and to the region. By deploying the Intervention Brigade, we underscore the need to ensure that the impartiality of the military component of MONUSCO and the protection of Blue Helmets not be endangered at any cost. We reiterate the importance of a clear separation between the role of the Intervention Brigade and that of the regular forces of MONUSCO, whose main purpose is to protect civilians, especially against sexual violence, which has reached alarming rates in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rwanda remains committed to peace in the region, and it is in that context that we were one of the first supporters and one of the first countries signatory to the Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region. We take this opportunity to express once again our appreciation to the Secretary-General for his pivotal role in the process, and we welcome the appointment of Mary Robinson as his Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region. During the regional summit held last weekend in Oyo, Republic of the Congo, Presidents Denis Sassou Nguesso, Joseph Kabila, Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the Framework and of all of the decisions adopted at the various summits held at the level of heads of State of the International Conference on the Great Lakes region on the security situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. That is a sign that the region has mobilized for peace, security and cooperation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and we hope that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the support of the region and the international community, will be able to carry out the reforms necessary to ensure the success of the process. Rwanda reiterates its support for the efforts made by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and of its Chairman, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, which led, inter alia, to a ceasefire between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Mouvement du 23 Mars (M-23), and to the Kampala talks. We welcome the use of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. We believe that cooperation among regional and subregional organizations cannot take place selectively. We therefore ask the Security Council to always bear in mind the decisions of the African Union and regional organizations during its deliberations on peace and security on the continent. However, we would recall the Security Council’s consistent rejection of a military solution. We condemn anti-constitutional changes of Government, and we underscore the promotion of an inclusive dialogue and the peaceful settlement of disputes, enshrined in doctrine by the Council. It is therefore important that the position of the Council with regard to armed groups opposed to a legitimate Government be constant and consistent. Rwanda, above and beyond its regional responsibilities, has also met its international obligations. As the Council is aware, we facilitated the transfer of the prisoner Bosco Ntaganda to the International Criminal Court, and we are cooperating with the United Nations and other international organizations to ensure that the 672 M-23 combatants who fled to Rwanda on 16 March 2013, including individuals subject to United Nations sanctions, be demobilized and treated in keeping with international law. To conclude, we call once again on the Security Council and all of its member States to endorse without reservation the Framework agreement, the regional process of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and the individual and collective efforts of the countries of the region. We hope that following the adoption of this significant resolution, the Council will finally be able to free itself from preconceived notions from the past, distance itself from the policy of scapegoating and support the efforts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the countries of the region to restore peace, security and stability to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region, thereby making it possible for the Congolese Government to tackle the deep-seated causes of the conflict in that country.

Guatemala voted in favor of resolution 2098 (2013), just adopted. We did so in part owing to our unwavering commitment to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), in which Guatemala has participated since March 2005. We were moved to do also out of respect and admiration for the diplomatic work undertaken by the Secretary-General, as well as for the leadership of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, the African Union and the Southern African Development Community, all of which gave rise to the Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region. Nevertheless, we wish to place on record some of our concerns — concerns that caused us to waver in joining the consensus and that have not yet been fully dissipated — with regard to the resolution just adopted. There are three concerns. First, we still have serious difficulties in terms of the involvement of the United Nations in peace-enforcement activities, as such activities may compromise the neutrality and impartiality that we deem so essential to the Organization’s peacekeeping activities. As a matter of principle, we believe that, when domestic armed groups challenge the host- country State, the United Nations mission must offer its good offices, mediate and even take a proactive stance in resolving the dispute. But its presence should be perceived by all parties as that of an honest broker, not a potential party to the conflict. In this instance, we understood the reasons for and the logic behind the Secretary-General’s proposal to deploy a dedicated specialized Intervention Brigade to be established within MONUSCO. We would have preferred, however, that the Brigade, mandated with offensive capabilities, be defined as a self-contained unit with specific responsibilities, clearly distinguishable from the mandates of the other MONUSCO brigades, which would then be entrusted with the more conventional duties of robust peacekeeping operations, including the protection of civilians. We are concerned that the entire MONUSCO runs the risk of indirectly becoming a peace enforcement mission. That would raise many conceptual, operational and legal considerations that, in our view, have not been adequately explored in the course of negotiating the text. We trust that we will have the opportunity to undertake that in-depth analysis in the future with all the actors involved, including, of course, the troop- contributing countries. That brings me to our second concern, which is more procedural in nature. The resolution is very complex, and we feel that not enough time was devoted to properly considering all its various angles. While a sense of urgency is understandable given the changing situation on the ground, we feel that Council members should have had more time to express and resolve their concerns. Our third concern is related to the broad public support that peacekeeping has enjoyed to date among Guatemalan public opinion, which is something that we greatly value. In that context, it should be recalled that it is little more than seven years since our country lost eight MONUSCO personnel in Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo while they were implementing its mandate. We could have expected an outcry from the Guatemalan people, questioning why our troops had to sacrifice their lives in such a far- off country that is virtually unknown to our citizens. But that did not happen. Our people understood that peacekeeping is a noble activity wherever it takes place and that, by contributing to peacekeeping, Guatemala was making a contribution to all humankind. However, we are not sure that our country would be similarly understanding were more of our soldiers to make the ultimate sacrifice combating insurgents in a distant country while trying to undertake a role that clearly falls to the national army of that country. That is why we insist that we wish to separate, as far as possible, the mandate of the Intervention Brigade and the activities appropriate to a robust United Nations peacekeeping mission. In conclusion, we wish to thank our colleagues in the Security Council for having adequately taken into account the concerns that I have mentioned to make our vote in favour possible today. Sir Mark Lyall Grant (United Kingdom): The United Kingdom welcomes the adoption of resolution 2098 (2013) and thanks France for its role in leading the negotiations on it. The United Kingdom joins the broader international community in welcoming the Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region as an opportunity for the Democratic Republic of the Congo to enter a period of lasting peace and increased prosperity, in which civilians can go about their lives in safety, justice is done and seen to be done, the women of the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo no longer need to fear sexual violence and children are protected from the impact of conflict. The resolution is an important step in that direction. The signatories to the Framework must now play their part by meeting their commitments. The Council, too, must play its part in providing the long-term and sustained oversight on the Democratic Republic of the Congo that has too often been lacking on our part. In that regard, we welcome the appointment of President Mary Robinson as Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region. Those are all vital elements of a comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of the crisis in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Renewing the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), with the inclusion of an Intervention Brigade, is an important means by which the United Nations contributes to the realization of that vision. By doing so, the Security Council and the United Nations has moved into new territory. For it to succeed, it will be important for the whole Mission, including all its troop contingents, whether they are a part of the Intervention Brigade or not, to be willing and able to fully implement the whole of the Mission’s mandate. It is one Mission with one mandate, one Special Representative and one Force Commander. The work of a peacekeeping force relies on the generosity of those countries that contribute their troops. The dedication of military expertise does not come without a cost to those nations. We recognize the sacrifices made by them in the pursuit of their duties, in full delivery of the Mission’s Chapter VII mandate and in carrying out MONUSCO’s top priority, which is the protection of civilians. We strongly support the troop-contributing countries in undertaking that work. United Nations peacekeeping has come a long way. Years of experience have led to the development of methods that fully integrate the work undertaken by the civilian and the military components of a peacekeeping operation. Resolution 2086 (2013), adopted in January, sets out the need for that integrated approach to peacekeeping. We therefore expect MONUSCO to conduct all its tasks in an integrated manner, while making the best use of its civilian, police and military capabilities and acting under a unified leadership. MONUSCO’s peacekeepers must follow a comprehensive and multidimensional approach whether or not they wear uniforms. That is the recipe for successful peacekeeping. In that context, we welcome the work mandated by the resolution to set out the division of labour between MONUSCO and the United Nations country team. That will inform a much-needed road map on the transfer of tasks from the Mission. It will play an important role in guiding the way forward for the United Nations family to work together to build peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

I wish to extend a special welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and la Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Argentina joined the consensus on resolution 2098 (2013) for three main reasons. The first reason is the concern among the international community about the ongoing deterioration of the humanitarian situation owing to the armed violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the need to ensure the protection of human rights and international humanitarian law, the rule of law and an end to impunity, in particular in the eastern part of the country. Those objectives are clearly set out in the resolution we have just adopted, which calls on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to play a central role. Secondly, the resolution responds to the request of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has the support of the countries of the region. Argentina believes those two aspects, namely, national ownership and respect for regional initiatives, to be key not only in the area of peacekeeping operations but also in the Security Council’s consideration of any action that it takes in the context of its primary responsibility, that is, to maintain international peace and security. Thirdly, we also underscore the fact that, in the resolution, the tasks of the military contingents are separated from those of the Mission’s civilian components. That underscores the importance of the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the countries of the region cooperating with the International Criminal Court in order to bring to justice the perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the country. Our agreement on those points does not mean that we do not harbour some concerns and well-founded doubts as to the establishment of the Intervention Brigade, in particular with regard to its ability to use force in offensive actions, even though paragraph 9 of resolution 2098 (2013) refers to that decision as being “on an exceptional basis and without creating a precedent or any prejudice to the agreed principles of peacekeeping”. We believe that the consultations that preceded the adoption of the resolution were not as inclusive or as in-depth as called for by a resolution of this kind. In that regard, with a view to the future and in a constructive attitude, Argentina believes that we will also be responsible for ensuring that this does not have an unfavourable impact on the very concept and principles of neutrality and impartiality with regard to peacekeeping missions. I reiterate that we believe that we are facing a conceptual change of the traditional understanding of peacekeeping operations. The inclusion of a peace-enforcement dimension in the concept of peacekeeping, even when justified under the circumstances, requires in-depth consideration and responsible action. Faced with that challenge, I emphasize that more than one week of negotiations would have been needed so that all the concerns of the members of the Council could have been reasonably addressed, including consultations with the entire membership and, in particular, with the major troop- contributing countries, not only those contributing to MONUSCO but of the entire Organization, taking into account the new tasks that could be called for and the impact that this decision may have on the entire system of peacekeeping. Lastly, in the context of the new offensive mandate that is being established, it is also important to us that it has been made abundantly clear that the first and foremost priority of MONUSCO is, and must be, to protect civilians. That clear interpretation has allowed countries such as Argentina to join the consensus on the resolution.

We welcome the adoption of resolution 2098 (2013), drafted on France’s initiative, barely one month following the adoption of the Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region. The new mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) reflects the international community’s commitment to addressing the underlying causes of the conflict in the eastern part of that country and to bringing to an end to the recurring cycle of violence. The strengthening of MONUSCO provided for in the resolution will support the political process put in place by the Framework Agreement. As the Secretary-General has underscored, there is no military solution to the problems affecting the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region. The protection of civilians must remain the main pillar of the Mission’s mandate. In that regard, we welcome the provisions for the protection of children and the fight against sexual violence. The resolution we have just adopted entrusts MONUSCO with a peace-enforcement mandate in order to neutralize armed groups. The Intervention Brigade to be part of MONUSCO will have a key role to play in that regard. Moreover, MONUSCO should actively support the Congolese authorities and coordinate the efforts of the country’s partners in reforming the security sector, which is an issue to which we attach great importance. Lastly, we deem it important that MONUSCO carry out the entire host of tasks entrusted to it by this resolution in a comprehensive manner and by fully exploiting its civilian, military and police capacities, under the direction of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General.

We welcome the presence of the honourable Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the Council. Pakistan fully supports the Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, which lays the foundation for durable peace in the region. We commend the role and important contribution of regional and subregional organizations, including the Southern African Development Community and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, towards peace and security in the region. We particularly appreciate the mediation role of the Secretary-General, and we express our full support for his comprehensive approach towards a political solution to the recurring cycles of instability in the region by addressing the underlying causes. Over the years, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has been a stabilizing factor in the country. It has made vital contributions to the protection of civilians, in line with its mandate. The Mission’s continued presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is an important part of the new comprehensive approach. The collective goal of the Security Council and the international community should be to build the capacity of Congolese national security institutions for the progressive and time-bound transfer of responsibility to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. That will enable the Government to assume its primary responsibility to maintain peace and security in the eastern part of the country and to bring war criminals and fugitives to justice. Before the negotiations on resolution 2098 (2013), we had several reservations. However, through intense engagements, a number of those concerns have been addressed. Our interpretation of this resolution with regard to the Intervention Brigade is as follows. The resolution clearly states, in paragraph 9, that the establishment of the Intervention Brigade is “on an exceptional basis and without creating a precedent or any prejudice to the agreed principles of peacekeeping”. The resolution clearly defines the goals and tasks of the Intervention Brigade and outlines its exit strategy, which focuses on building the capacity of a Congolese rapid-reaction force that would take over the tasks of the Intervention Brigade. Moreover, the resolution clearly outlines the respective tasks of the Intervention Brigade and its regular forces, including the associated mission concept, the concept of operations and the rules of engagement. The text also lays particular emphasis on deterring any attacks against peacekeeper and underlines the need for strengthening the security of United Nations personnel. Pakistan remains fully committed to the basic principles of peacekeeping, including the consent of the parties, impartiality and the non-use of force, except in self-defence and defence of the mandate. Deployed in one of the most restive regions in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistani peacekeepers are an integral part of the Mission and have played an important role in the effective discharge of the Mission’s mandate. Notwithstanding our continuing concerns and reservations with regard to the concept of the Intervention Brigade and its possible implications for the safety and security of peacekeepers, we supported the resolution as an expression of our commitment to peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the wider region. We will continue to support the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to stand by its people in their quest for security and stability.

I would like, first of all, to welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and la Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Morocco welcomes the adoption of resolution 2098 (2013), with the hope that it can open up genuine prospects for the restoration of peace and emergence of a prosperous and stable future in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the entire Great Lakes region. The Council wished, through this resolution, to streamline and strengthen the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), in order to enable it to remain current and to support the recent positive developments in the region, including the signing of the Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region thanks to the good offices of the Secretary-General and the political will and commitment of the countries of the region. The resolution also seeks to adapt MONUSCO’s mandate to the political, military and humanitarian realities on the ground in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. By adopting this resolution, the Council has also favourably responded to the call launched jointly and in a spirit of solidarity by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region for the establishment of an Intervention Brigade operating within MONUSCO. Morocco welcomes this decision, which responds to a specific and exceptional request aimed at addressing the alarming security, military and humanitarian situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We believe that that approach, which was requested by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the appropriate one to take while awaiting the strengthening of the Congolese security forces, in particular through the establishment of a rapid-reaction force, as stipulated in the resolution. We hope that that force will be able to quickly take up the tasks of the United Nations Brigade. By voting in favour of resolution 2098 (2013), the Kingdom of Morocco, as a troop-contributing country to MONUSCO, wishes to reiterate its commitment to the founding principles that govern peacekeeping operations. In the coming stages, and as the United Nations undertakes the implementation of this resolution, we call for the troop- and police-contributing countries to be consulted on a regular basis so as to achieve optimal synergy between all the component elements of MONUSCO, especially between the regular forces and the Intervention Brigade. Similarly, the selection of the forces that will make up the Intervention Brigade and its command structure seems to us of determining importance to ensure efficient and consistent action by the United Nations on the ground.

I welcome the presence of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Chinese delegation voted in favour of resolution 2098 (2013), which the Council just adopted. China is seriously concerned about the worsening security and humanitarian situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is deeply worried about the serious consequences that it has for regional peace and security. We strongly support the efforts made by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in maintaining national sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and stability, and we commend the United Nations, the African Union and the relevant regional organizations for their positive role in addressing the problems in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We hope that the parties concerned will, as called for in resolution 2098 (2013), take effective measures to implement the Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region. We hope that the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) will continue to strengthen its efforts in communicating and coordinating with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and strictly abide by its mandate, as conferred by the Council, so as to make a greater contribution to the long-term peace and security of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. China believes that the three peacekeeping principles of the United Nations, including the consent of the parties, impartiality and the non-use of force, except in self-defence and in defence of the mandate, provide an important guarantee for the success of United Nations peacekeeping operations. They have been widely supported by the vast majority of developing countries and therefore should continue to be adhered to. At the same time, we have always supported the efforts made by African countries and regional organizations to maintain regional peace and security. We therefore attach great importance to the request by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the relevant regional organizations in Africa for the deployment of the Intervention Brigade and the adjustment of the mandate of MONUSCO. In view of what I have just mentioned, China agrees on an exceptional basis to the deployment of an Intervention Brigade within MONUSCO. Under the terms of this resolution, the deployment of this Intervention Brigade does not constitute any precedent, nor does it affect the continued adherence of the United Nations to the peacekeeping principles.

Following the signing of the Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, we find ourselves at a key turning point in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The framework process, which included a personal engagement from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, has breathed new life into efforts to find a durable peace in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where over 5 million have lost their lives since 1998. In the light of the renewed commitments from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, its neighbours and the international community laid out in the Framework, the Security Council has acted today to ensure that the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) supports the Framework agreement in its efforts to address the root causes of the conflict. Given the introduction of the Intervention Brigade, the United States has been particularly mindful of the need to set MONUSCO up for success by streamlining the other tasks that MONUSCO, particularly its military component, are tasked to do. We underscore today that efforts to protect civilians and neutralize armed groups must remain at the forefront of tasks for MONUSCO and are duties that MONUSCO peacekeepers must do their utmost to perform. We recognize the need for continued coordination with the civilian side in those efforts, particularly to ensure the protection of children and women and to prevent the continuation of the horrible streak of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In that regard, we fully support MONUSCO’s continued role in human rights monitoring, which we see as a key part of protecting civilians. The Security Council has demonstrated its commitment to achieving peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by authorizing the intervention brigade today. We call on the Democratic Republic of the Congo Government to meet its commitment to the parameters in the Framework, particularly in implementing credible security sector reform. We also call on the neighbours of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to meet their commitments in the Framework agreement. As we look ahead, we welcome the Secretary- General’s appointment of Mary Robinson as his Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region and will support her efforts to craft and ensure the implementation of a political process that complements the work of MONUSCO to bring lasting peace to the citizens of the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

I welcome the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and la Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We welcome the unanimous adoption of resolution 2089 (2013), which France submitted to the Council. The resolution complements the Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region, signed 24 February, and creates a link between the commitments of the countries of the region and the situation on the ground in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The content of the resolution reflects the recommendations set forth by the Secretary-General in his report (S/2013/119) and addresses the expectations of the States and regional organizations of the region. At the political level, the resolution recalls the necessity for the signatories to the Framework agreement to implement the commitments that they have undertaken. It appoints the new Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Mary Robinson. France commends her appointment and calls upon her and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to keep the Security Council informed of the status of the implementation of the Framework agreement. The Security Council underlines that, in case of any violation of the commitments, it will be prepared to take the necessary measures. With respect to the situation on the ground, the resolution sets out measures to reduce the threat posed by armed groups to civilians. It allows, for the first time, for the deployment of an Intervention Brigade with an offensive mandate in order to prevent the armed groups from expanding and to neutralize and disarm them with a view to finally bringing about a stabilization of the situation in eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The resolution also clarifies that MONUSCO is effectively charged with monitoring the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Those tasks do not change, however, the core of MONUSCO’s mandate, which remains above all a peacekeeping operation tasked primarily with protecting civilians, a concern that affects all of the text’s provisions. With respect to the Intervention Brigade’s activities, the resolution stresses that MONUSCO must seek to contain the threat to civilians before, during and after all military operations. It will also continue to guarantee respect for human rights, as that is still at the core of its mandate. The Intervention Brigade will necessarily work in full compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights law and respect United Nations human rights policy. MONUSCO can also help stabilize the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by arresting those who commit atrocities against civilians and who are wanted, in particular by international criminal justice bodies. That is why this new mandate now asks MONUSCO to support — and, more importantly, work with — the Congolese authorities and the International Criminal Court to arrest those criminals.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of the Russian Federation. Russia supported the adoption of resolution 2098 (2013) and welcomed the signing, on 24 February in Addis Ababa, of the Framework for Peace, Security and Cooperation for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes Region as an important step in resolving the crisis in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We also supported the proposal of the Secretary-General for modifying the currently deployed United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) peacekeeping contingent and its reconfiguring so as to achieve a qualitative breakthrough in combating anti-governmental groups in the eastern part of the country. Moreover, it was important to us that the mandate of the future brigade and the remaining contingents of the Mission be carefully limited. That provides the opportunity to observe the basic United Nations peacekeeping principles on supporting peace, rather than forcing or imposing peace, and to ensure the security of peacekeepers. However, we feel that the fundamental responsibility to resolve the situation is borne by the Congolese Government itself. There is a need to comprehensively reform the security sector, bolster the capacity of the national army, which, in the end, must undertake all responsibilities for the protection of civilians, and ensure the territorial integrity of the country. An important step in reinstating stability in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region as a whole was the transfer, on 24 March, of Bosco Ntaganda and his referral to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. That will help promote a settlement of the root causes of the conflict, including the elimination of the culture of impunity, in particular with respect to those responsible for atrocities and crimes against humanity. In conclusion, I would like to underscore that Russia will continue to provide support to the people and Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in resolving the tasks before it. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This meeting is probably the last of the month. On behalf of our delegation, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the members of the Council, especially my colleagues the Permanent Representatives and their staffs, as well as to the Secretariat, for the support they have given us during Russia’s presidency. It has indeed been a busy month, and one in which we succeeded in reaching consensus on several important issues within our purview. We could not have achieved those results alone or without the hard work of support and constructive cooperation by every delegation and the representatives of the Secretariat, as well as the interpreters, translators, meeting services staff and sound engineers. As we end our presidency, I know I speak on behalf of the Council in wishing the Rwandan delegation success in the month of April. I am sure that the same goes for every member of the Council. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council will remain seized of the matter.