UN to deploy over 3000 more troops to Congo
Thursday, November 20, 2008
- UN resolution on Syria vetoed by Russia and China
- New York police confirm cocaine shipment seizure at UN Headquarters
- Observing the 2012 Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the US, and wider world
- Two Syrian journalists killed around New Year's Day
- Two politicians jailed for life over Rwandan genocide
- Gbagbo appears at international court for alleged crimes against humanity
- UNESCO votes in favor of Palestine membership
The United Nations Security Council has announced that it intends to send up to 3,085 more peacekeeping troops to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, despite a commitment from rebel forces to reduce their fighting.
The UN stated that the troops will be deployed immediately, and kept in the Congo for at least the rest of 2008.
Depending on the security situation in the country, the troops may be kept in the country past the end of this year.
The move was made as part of UN Security Council Resolution 1843, and was recommended by the United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon.
The resolution states that this “temporary increase in personnel aims at enabling MONUC to reinforce its capacity to protect civilians, to reconfigure its structure and forces and to optimize their deployment.”
Image: Patrick Gruban.
The resolution also made some other comments in relation to the Congo. The resolution also aimed to work at “reiterating its condemnation of the resurgence of violence in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and demanding all parties to immediately respect a ceasefire.”
The document also welcomed “the appointment of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo by the Secretary-General as his Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region.
[edit] Sources
- Angela Balakrishnan. "Extra 3,100 UN troops to be deployed to Congo" — The Guardian, November 20, 2008
- Press Release: Angela Balakrishnan. "Seeking to stabilize situation in Democratic Republic of Congo, Security Council reinforces United Nations troop strength by nearly 3,000, until year’s end" — United Nations, November 20, 2008
