The UN Security Council on Tuesday (December 20th) unanimously approved a resolution, 2667, which lifts notification requirements for arms shipments to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
According to the resolution, arms suppliers were under these requirements to notify the United Nations of sales of weapons “up to 14.5mm caliber, a caliber of up to 82 mm, grenade launchers and rocket launchers of a caliber of up to 107 mm and their respective ammunition, as well as man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and guided missile systems anti-tanks”.
However, this approach had a negative impact on arms orders by the DRC, by delaying the delivery of arms, or outright by pushing suppliers to reject these orders under the pretext of the embargo, according to the Congolese authorities.
This lifting of notification requirements concerns only the Congolese State, which resolution 2667 also requires to submit to the Security Council, no later than May 31, 2023, a confidential report detailing its efforts made within the framework of the management of national arms and ammunition stocks, and to combat arms trafficking and diversion.
Non-governmental entities, armed groups, and all individuals operating on national territory remain under the former regime.
Kinshasa, which has always pleaded for the lifting of this form of embargo in force since 2008, welcomed the decision of the UN Security Council. The Congolese authorities indeed need to arm themselves to fight against insecurity in the east of the country, caused by the presence of a large number of armed groups.
The UN Security Council also extended the mandate of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) for another year.
“The government takes note of the extension of MONUSCO’s mandate for one year while reaffirming its determination to continue the implementation of the progressive and staggered withdrawal plan, in accordance with the will expressed by the Congolese population”, declared, in a statement, Congolese government spokesman Patrick Muyaya.
This renewal undoubtedly does not meet the expectations of part of the population who want to see MONUSCO leave the country for having failed, according to it, in its missions, including the protection of civilians.
By OMA Newsletter N° 984 of 21/12/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
