United Nations Security Council Resolution 169 – The Congo Question

169 (1961). Resolution of 24 November 1961

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions 143 (1960) of 14 July 1960, 145 (1960) of 22 July 1960, 146 (1960) of 9 August 1960 and 161 (1961) of 21 February 1961,

Recalling further General Assembly resolutions 1474 (ES-IV), 1592 (XV), 1599 (XV), 1600 (XV) and 1601 (XV),

Reaffirming the policies and purposes of the United Nations with respect to the Congo (Leopoldville) as set out in the aforesaid resolutions, namely:

(a) To maintain the territorial integrity and the political independence of the Republic of the Congo,

(b) To assist the Central Government of the Congo in the restoration and maintenance of law and order,

(c) To prevent the occurrence of civil war in the Congo,

(d) To secure the immediate withdrawal and evacuation from the Congo of al! foreign military, paramilitary and advisory personnel not under the United Nations Command, and ail mercenaries,

(e) To render technical assistance,

Welcoming the restoration of the national Parliament of the Congo in accordance with the Loi fondamentale and the consequent formation of a Central Govemment on 2 August 1961,

Deploring ail armed action in opposition to the authority of the Government of the Republic of the Congo, specifically secessionist activities and armed action now being carried on by the provincial administration of Katanga with the aid of externat resources and foreign mercenaries, and completely rejecting the claim that Katanga is ” a sovereign independent nation “,

Noting with deep regret the recent and past actions of violence against United Nations personnel,

Recognizing the Government of the Republic of the Congo as exclusively responsible for the conduct of the extemal affairs of the Congo,

Bearing in mind the imperative necessity for speedy and effective action to implement fully the policies and purposes of the United Nations in the Conso to end the unfortunate plight of the Congolese people, necessary in the interests both of world peace and international co-operation and of the stability and progress of Africa as a whole,

1. Strongly deprecates the secessionist activities ille-gally carried out by the provincial administration of Katanga with the aid of externat resources and manned by foreign mercenaries ;
2. Further deprecates the armed action against United Nations forces and personnel in the pursuit of such activities;

3. Insists that such activities shall cease forthwith, and calfs upon all concerned to desist therefrom;

4. Authorizes the Secretary-General to take vigorous action, including the use of the requisite measure of force, if necessary, for the immediate apprehension, detention pending legal action and/or deportation of all foreign military and paramilitary personnel and political advisers not under the United Nations Command, and mercenaries, as laid down in paragraph 2 of Security Council resolution 161 A (1961) of 21 Febru-ary 1961;

5. Further requests the Secretary-General to take all necessary measures to prevent the entry or return of such elements under whatever guise, and also of arms, equipment or other material in support of such activities;

6. Requests all States to refrain from the supply of arms, equipment or other material which could be used for warlike purposes, and to take the necessary measures to prevent their nationals from doing the same, and also to deny transportation and transit facilities for such supplies across their territories, except in accordance with the decisions, policies and purposes of the United Nations;

7. Calls upon all Member States to refrain from promoting, condoning, or giving support by acts of omission or commission, directly or indirectly, to activ-ities against the United Nations often resulting in armed hostilities against the United Nations forces and personnel;

8. Declares that all secessionist activities agaimt the Republic of the Congo are contrary to the Loi fonda-mentale and Security Council decisions and specifically demands that such activities which are now taking place in Katanga shall cease forthwith;

9. Declares full and firm support for the Central Government of the Congo and the determination to assist that Government, in accordance with the decisions of the United Nations, to maintain law and order and national integrity, to provide technical assistance and to implement those decisions;

10. Urges all Member States to !end their support, according to their national procedures, to the Central Government of the Republic of the Congo, in conformity with the Charter and the decisions of the United Nations;

11. Requests all Member States to refrain from any action which may directly or indirectly impede the policies and purposes of the United Nations in the Congo and is contrary to its decisions and the general purposes of the Charter.

Adopted at the 982nd meeting by 9 votes to none, with 2 abstentions ( France, United Kingdom of Great Britain· and Northern Ireland).