United Nations Security Council Resolution 1399
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
1399, adopted unanimously on March 19, 2002, after recalling all previous resolutions on situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
, the Council condemned the capture of the town of Moliro
and other activities by the rebel Rally for Congolese Democracy
(RCD).
The Security Council recalled that parties to the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement
had respected the ceasefire
since January 2001, and that inter-Congolese dialogue was an essential element of the peace process. It condemned the resumption of fighting around Moliro and the capture of the town by the RCD-Goma as a major violation of the ceasefire. Moreover, the Council stressed that no party would be allowed to make military gains during the peace process. It demanded that the RCD immediately withdraw from Moliro and Pweto
and for all other parties to withdraw to defensive positions called for in the Harare disengagement sub-plans.
Recalling that Kisangani
also had to be demilitarised
, the resolution reminded all parties to comply with the Ceasefire Agreement and called on Rwanda
to use its influence to ensure that the RDC implemented the current resolution. It welcomed the deployment of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo
(MONUC) in the two captured towns and asked for all parties to co-operate with it. Parties to the Ceasefire Agreement were urged to refrain from military action during the inter-Congolese dialogue, and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
was urged to resume its participation in the dialogue.
In response, the RCD said it welcomed the resolution and pledged to hand over the towns to MONUC control. The following day the Congolese government resumed its participation in the talks.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
1399, adopted unanimously on March 19, 2002, after recalling all previous resolutions on situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
, the Council condemned the capture of the town of Moliro
Moliro
Moliro is a community in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo beside Lake Tanganyika on the border with Zambia.It is in Katanga Province....
and other activities by the rebel Rally for Congolese Democracy
Rally for Congolese Democracy
The Congolese Rally for Democracy, sometimes Rally for Congolese Democracy, was a rebel group operating in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo . Assisted by the government of Rwanda, it was a major factor in the Second Congo War . It became a political party in 2003...
(RCD).
The Security Council recalled that parties to the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement
Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement
The Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement attempted to end the Second Congo War through a ceasefire, release of prisoners of war, and the deployment of an international peacekeeping force under the auspices of the United Nations...
had respected the ceasefire
Ceasefire
A ceasefire is a temporary stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. Ceasefires may be declared as part of a formal treaty, but they have also been called as part of an informal understanding between opposing forces...
since January 2001, and that inter-Congolese dialogue was an essential element of the peace process. It condemned the resumption of fighting around Moliro and the capture of the town by the RCD-Goma as a major violation of the ceasefire. Moreover, the Council stressed that no party would be allowed to make military gains during the peace process. It demanded that the RCD immediately withdraw from Moliro and Pweto
Pweto
Pweto is a town in the Katanga Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo . It is the administrative center of the Pweto Territory. The town was the scene of a decisive battle in December 2000 during the Second Congo War which resulted in both sides making more active efforts to achieve...
and for all other parties to withdraw to defensive positions called for in the Harare disengagement sub-plans.
Recalling that Kisangani
Kisangani
Kisangani is the capital of Orientale Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is the 3rd largest urbanized city in the country and the largest of the cities that lie in the tropical woodlands of the Congo....
also had to be demilitarised
Demilitarisation
Demilitarisation or demilitarization is the reduction of a nation's army, weapons, or military vehicles to an agreed minimum. Demilitarisation is usually the result of a peace treaty ending a war or a major conflict....
, the resolution reminded all parties to comply with the Ceasefire Agreement and called on Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
to use its influence to ensure that the RDC implemented the current resolution. It welcomed the deployment of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo
United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or MONUSCO , is a United Nations peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which was established by the United Nations Security Council in resolutions 1279...
(MONUC) in the two captured towns and asked for all parties to co-operate with it. Parties to the Ceasefire Agreement were urged to refrain from military action during the inter-Congolese dialogue, and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the second institution in the central executive branch of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the first institution being the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who has the title of head of state.- Description :Under the...
was urged to resume its participation in the dialogue.
In response, the RCD said it welcomed the resolution and pledged to hand over the towns to MONUC control. The following day the Congolese government resumed its participation in the talks.
See also
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1301 to 1400 (2000 – 2002)
- Lusaka Ceasefire AgreementLusaka Ceasefire AgreementThe Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement attempted to end the Second Congo War through a ceasefire, release of prisoners of war, and the deployment of an international peacekeeping force under the auspices of the United Nations...
- Second Congo WarSecond Congo WarThe Second Congo War, also known as Coltan War and the Great War of Africa, began in August 1998 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo , and officially ended in July 2003 when the Transitional Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo took power; however, hostilities continue to this...