United Nations Security Council Resolution 2528 – The situation concerning the Democratic Republic of the CongoLetter from the President of the Council on the voting outcome (S/2020/589) and voting details (S/2020/601)

Resolution 2528 (2020)

The Security Council,

Recalling its previous resolutions and the statements of its President concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),

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

Taking note of the final report (S/2019/469) of the Group of Experts on the DRC (“the Group of Experts”) established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) and extended pursuant to resolutions 1807 (2008), 1857 (2008), 1896 (2009), 1952 (2010), 2021 (2011), 2078 (2012), 2136 (2014), 2198 (2015), 2293 (2016), 2360 (2017) 2424 (2018), and 2478 (2019),

Expressing concern at the continued presence of domestic and foreign armed groups in Eastern DRC and the suffering they impose on the civilian population of the country, including from human rights abuses, further expressing concern at the continued illegal exploitation and trade of natural resources, which enable these armed groups to operate, welcoming the diplomatic engagement undertaken by the States of the region to foster peace and reconciliation in the region, calling on all signatory States to fully implement their commitments per the Peace and Security Framework for the DRC and the Region,

Reiterating the need for the Government of the DRC to swiftly and fully investigate the killing of the two members of the Group of Experts and the four Congolese nationals accompanying them and bring those responsible to justice, welcoming the Secretary General’s commitment that the United Nations will do everything possible to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice, further welcoming the work of the United Nations team deployed to assist the Congolese authorities in their investigations, in agreement with the Congolese authorities, and welcoming their continued cooperation,

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,

1. Decides to renew until 1 July 2021 the measures as set out in paragraphs 1 to 6 of resolution 2293 (2016), including its reaffirmations therein;

2. Reaffirms that measures described in paragraph 5 of resolution 2293 (2016) shall apply to individuals and entities as designated by the Committee, as setforth in paragraph 7 of resolution 2293 (2016) and paragraph 3 of resolution 2360 (2017);

3. Decides to extend until 1 August 2021 the mandate of the Group of Experts, as set forth in paragraph 6 of Resolution 2360, expresses its intention to review the mandate and take appropriate action regarding the further extension no later than 1 July 2021, and requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary administrative measures as expeditiously as possible to re-establish the Group of Experts, in consultation with the Committee, drawing, as appropriate, on the expertise of the members of the Group established pursuant to previous resolutions;

4. Requests the Group of Experts to provide to the Council, after discussion with the Committee, a mid-term report no later than 30 December 2020, and a final report no later than 15 June 2021, as well as submit monthly updates to the Committee, except in the months where the mid-term and final reports are due;

5. Reaffirms the reporting provisions as set out in resolution 2360 (2017) and 2478 (2019);

6. Recalls the Guidelines of the Committee for the Conduct of its Work as adopted by the Committee on 6 August 2010, and calls on Member states to use, as appropriate, the procedures and criteria therein, including on the issues of listing and delisting and recalls resolution 1730 (2006) in that regard;

7. Decides to remain seized of the matter.

Adopted by the Security Council on 25 June 2020.