United Nations Security Council Resolution 1279 – The Democratic Republic of the Congo

Resolution 1279 (1999)

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions 1234 (1999) of 9 April 1999, 1258 (1999) of6 August 1999 and 1273 (1999) of 5 November 1999 and the statements of itsPresident of 31 August 1998 (S/PRST/1998/26), 11 December 1998 (S/PRST/1998/36)and 24 June 1999 (S/PRST/1999/17),

Bearing in mind the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and the primary responsibility of the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security,

Reaffirming the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and all States in the region,

Reaffirming also that the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement (S/1999/815)represents the most viable basis for a resolution of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and noting the role it requests the United Nations to play in the implementation of the ceasefire,

Expressing its concern at the alleged violations of the Ceasefire Agreement and urging all parties to refrain from any declarations or action that could jeopardize the peace process,

Stressing the responsibilities of the signatories for the implementation ofthe Ceasefire Agreement, and calling on them to permit and facilitate the fulldeployment of United Nations military liaison officers and other personnelnecessary for the fulfilment of their mandate throughout the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

Welcoming the pledges of support made to the Joint Military Commission(JMC) by States and organizations, and calling on others to contribute, together with the signatories to the Ceasefire Agreement, to the funding of the body,

Noting with concern the humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and calling on all Member States to contribute to current and future consolidated humanitarian appeals,

Expressing its concern at the severe consequences of the conflict for thesecurity and well-being of the civilian population throughout the territory ofthe Democratic Republic of the Congo,

Expressing also its concern at the adverse impact of the conflict on the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in the eastern parts of the country, and the continuing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed throughout the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

Having considered the recommendations of the Secretary-General contained in his report of 1 November 1999 (S/1999/1116),

Reiterating the importance of the successful completion of the mission ofthe technical assessment team dispatched to the Democratic Republic of the Congoto assess conditions and to prepare for possible subsequent United Nations deployment in the country as well as to obtain firm guarantees from the partiesto the conflict over the safety, security and freedom of movement of UnitedNations and associated personnel,

Recalling the relevant principles contained in the Convention on the Safetyof United Nations and Associated Personnel adopted on 9 December 1994,

Underlining the importance of the full deployment of the United Nationsmilitary liaison personnel as provided for by resolution 1258 (1999),

1. Calls upon all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities, toimplement fully the provisions of the Ceasefire Agreement, and to use the JMC toresolve disputes over military issues;

2. Stresses the need for a continuing process of genuine nationalreconciliation, encourages all Congolese to participate in the national dialogue to be organized in coordination with the Organization of African Unity (OAU),and calls upon all Congolese parties and the OAU to finalize agreement on thefacilitator for the national dialogue;

3. Welcomes the appointment by the Secretary-General of his SpecialRepresentative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo to serve as the head ofthe United Nations presence in the subregion relating to the peace process inthe Democratic Republic of the Congo and to provide assistance in theimplementation of the Ceasefire Agreement;

4. Decides that the personnel authorized under its resolutions1258 (1999) and 1273 (1999), including a multidisciplinary staff of personnel inthe fields of human rights, humanitarian affairs, public information, medicalsupport, child protection, political affairs and administrative support, whichwill assist the Special Representative, shall constitute the United NationsOrganization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) until1 March 2000;

5. Decides also that MONUC, led by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, consistent with resolutions 1258 (1999) and 1273 (1999),shall carry out the following ongoing tasks:

(a) To establish contacts with the signatories to the Ceasefire Agreement at their headquarters levels, as well as in the capitals of the State Signatories;

(b) To liaise with the JMC and provide technical assistance in theimplementation of its functions under the Ceasefire Agreement, including in theinvestigation of ceasefire violations;

(c) To provide information on security conditions in all areas of itsoperation, with emphasis on local conditions affecting future decisions on theintroduction of United Nations personnel;

(d) To plan for the observation of the ceasefire and disengagement offorces;

(e) To maintain liaison with all parties to the Ceasefire Agreement to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to displaced persons,refugees, children, and other affected persons, and assist in the protection of human rights, including the rights of children;

6. Underlines that the phased deployment of United Nations militaryobservers with the necessary support and protection elements in the DemocraticRepublic of the Congo will be subject to its further decision, and expresses itsintention to take such a decision promptly on the basis of furtherrecommendations of the Secretary-General, taking into account the findings ofthe technical assessment team;

7. Requests the Secretary-General to accelerate the development of aconcept of operations based on assessed conditions of security, access andfreedom of movement and cooperation on the part of the signatories to theCeasefire Agreement;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to keep it regularly informed and toreport to it as soon as possible on the situation in the Democratic Republic ofthe Congo and submit his recommendations on further deployment of United Nationspersonnel in the country and on their protection;

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9. Requests the Secretary-General, with immediate effect, to take the administrative steps necessary for the equipping of up to 500 United Nations military observers with a view to facilitating future rapid United Nations deployments as authorized by the Council;

10. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

Adopted by the Security Council at its 4076th meeting,on 30 November 1999.