The UN Security Council approved reducing the peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of Congo by 2,000 troops, marking the start of a gradual pullout from the country, according to a resolution passed Thursday.
The council’s decision came in response to the request of the Congolese government and the recommendation by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to begin discussions of a gradual exit strategy for the mission, which was established in 1999.
The Security Council noted that the current reduction was not permanent and the troop ceiling of more than 19,800 military personnel and another 2,000 police and staff members would be maintained for now.
“The Security Council expresses its intention to make this troop reduction permanent through a revised troop ceiling … once significant progress has been achieved regarding the priorities of [the mission’s] mandate,” according to the resolution.
The council warned that such priorities included the disarmament of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a combatant group against which the Congolese government launched unilateral military action despite plans for a joint operation with the UN.
Initially, the UN was to provide logistics, fuel and food rations for troops in the fight against the FDLR, however, that support was suspended last month after the Congolese Army appointed two generals accused of human rights violations.
GNA