United Nations Security Council Resolution 2666 –The situation concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)

Resolution 2666 (2022)

The Security Council,

Recalling its previous resolutions and the statements of its President concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), especially its previous resolutions regarding the mandate of the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) and the sanctions regime established by resolutions 1493 (2003) and 1807 (2008),

Reaffirming the basic principles of peacekeeping, including consent of the parties, impartiality, and non-use of force, except in self-defence and defence of the mandate,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the DRC as well as all States in the region and emphasising the urgent need to respect fully the principles of non-interference, good-neighbourliness and regional cooperation,

Recalling that the Government of the DRC bears the primary responsibility to protect civilians within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction, including from international crimes, recognising the persistent security challenge threatening civilians, also underlining the importance of national efforts to restore State authority in all parts of the country to overcome the threats posed by armed groups,

Noting that the DRC continues to suffer from recurring and evolving cycles of conflict and persistent violence by foreign and domestic armed groups, which exacerbate a deeply concerning security, human rights and humanitarian crisis, as well as inter-communal and militia violence in areas of the DRC,

Expressing concern over reported links between the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and terrorist networks in eastern DRC, emphasising that such links may further exacerbate conflicts and contribute to undermining State authority and underscoring that there can be no purely military solutions to these problems as well as the importance of a holistic approach to counter terrorism carried out in accordance with applicable international law,

Recognising the efforts of the Government and the people of the DRC aiming at the achievement of peace and national development, as well as regional support and engagement, further recognising the efforts of the Armed Forces of the DRC(FARDC) and MONUSCO in addressing the threat posed by armed groups in the DRC,

Remaining deeply concerned by high levels of violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law in parts of the country, committed by all parties and particularly by armed groups, as well by the intensification of intercommunal violence fuelled by hate speech, misinformation and disinformation, including through social media platforms,

Reaffirming the important role of women and youth in the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts, as well as in peacebuilding and electoral processes and stressing the importance of their full, equal, effective, meaningful and safe participation in all efforts for the maintenance of and promotion of peace and security in the DRC,

Expressing great concern over the humanitarian situation that has left an estimated 27 million Congolese in need of humanitarian assistance, and the growing number of internally displaced persons in the DRC, with 5.7 million estimated to have been displaced to date, and the 523,000 refugees in the DRC, as well as the more than 1 million refugees from the DRC in Africa as a result of ongoing hostilities, encouraging member States to commit to a more equitable sharing of the burden and responsibility for hosting and supporting refugees in the DRC in line with the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework, further calling upon the DRC and all States in the region to work towards a peaceful environment conducive to the realisation of durable solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons, including their voluntary, safe and dignified return and reintegration in the DRC, with the support of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), and stressing that any such solution should be in line with relevant obligations under international refugee law, international humanitarian law and international human rights law,

Recalling the UN guiding principles of humanitarian emergency assistance,

Recalling resolution 2532 (2020) and resolution 2565 (2021) demanding a general and immediate cessation of hostilities in all situations on the Council’s agenda, as well as calling upon all parties to armed conflicts to engage immediately in a durable humanitarian pause, in order to enable the safe, timely, unhindered and sustained delivery of humanitarian assistance consistent with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence,

Noting the importance of commercial trade of food, fuel and other essential commodities to meet civilians’ basic survival needs,

Recalling all its relevant resolutions on women, peace and security, on youth, peace and security, on children and armed conflict, and on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, welcoming efforts of the Government of the DRC in this regard and to implement resolution 1325 (2000), also recalling the conclusions on children and armed conflict in the DRC adopted on 10 December 2020 by the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict pertaining to the parties in armed conflicts of the DRC, expressing grave concern over the high number of violations against children, in particular sexual and gender-based violence being committed by security forces and calling on all actors to contribute to the rehabilitation and reintegration of children formerly associated with armed groups and forces,

Recognising the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes, natural disasters, and lack of energy access, among other factors, on the stability of the DRC, welcoming the leadership of the DRC in the development of national strategies to address these issues and in the preservation of the Congo basin forest, expressing concern regarding the activities of armed groups in protected areas that lead to environmental damage and acknowledging the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement,

Reiterating the necessity for MONUSCO to fully implement its mandate in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions, using all means at its disposal to effectively address the threat posed by armed groups and other security threats, in the context of increased armed conflict in the DRC,

Reiterating its call on all parties to cooperate fully with MONUSCO and to remain committed to the full and objective implementation of the Mission’s mandate, further reiterating the importance of continued compliance with the Status of Forces Agreement, and its condemnation of any and all attacks against peacekeepers, which may constitute war crimes, and emphasising that those responsible for such attacks must be held accountable,

Reiterating the importance of adequately resourcing United Nations peace operations during mission transitions and recalling resolution 2594 (2021) on United Nations peace operations transitions in this regard,

Underscoring the importance of strategic communications to the implementation of MONUSCO’s mandate and to the safety and security of its peacekeepers,

Determining that the situation in the DRC continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

Adopted by the Security Council at its 9226th meeting, on 20 December 2022.