Security Council resolution 1258 (1999) on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, U.N. Doc. S/RES/1258 (1999).

 

Adopted by the Security Council at its 4032nd meeting,

on 6 August 1999

 

The Security Council,

Reaffirming its resolution 1234 (1999) of 9 April 1999 and recalling the statements of its President 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,

Determined to resolve with all parties concerned the grave humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in particular and in the region as a whole and to provide for the safe and free return of all refugees and displaced persons to their homes,

Recognizing that the current situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo demands an urgent response by the parties to the conflict with support from the international community,

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

Welcoming the report of the Secretary-General of 15 July 1999 on the United Nations preliminary deployment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/1999/790),

1. Welcomes the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement on the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the States concerned in Lusaka on 10 July 1999 (S/1999/815) which represents a viable basis for a resolution of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;

2. Also welcomes the signing of the Ceasefire Agreement on 1 August 1999 by the Movement for the Liberation of the Congo, expresses deep concern that the Congolese Rally for Democracy has not signed the Agreement and calls upon the latter to sign the Agreement without delay in order to bring about national reconciliation and lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;

3. Commends the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and the Southern African Development Community for their efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in particular the President of the Republic of Zambia, and also the Secretary-General, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Representative of the Secretary-General to the Great Lakes Region and all those who contributed to the peace process;

4. Calls upon all parties to the conflict, in particular the rebel movements, to cease hostilities, to implement fully and without delay the provisions of the Ceasefire Agreement, to cooperate fully with the OAU and the United Nations in the implementation of the Agreement and to desist from any act that may further exacerbate the situation;

5. Stresses the need for a continuing process of genuine national reconciliation, and encourages all Congolese to participate in the national debate to be organized in accordance with the provisions of the Ceasefire Agreement;

6. Stresses also the need to create an environment conducive to the return in safety and dignity of all refugees and displaced persons;

7. Notes with satisfaction the prompt establishment of the Political Committee and the Joint Military Commission (JMC) by the States signatories to the Ceasefire Agreement as part of their collective effort to implement the Ceasefire Agreement for the Democratic Republic of the Congo;

8. Authorizes the deployment of up to 90 United Nations military liaison personnel, together with the necessary civilian, political, humanitarian and administrative staff, to the capitals of the States signatories to the Ceasefire Agreement and the provisional headquarters of the JMC, and, as security conditions permit, to the rear military headquarters of the main belligerents in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and, as appropriate, to other areas the Secretary-General may deem necessary, for a period of three months, with the following mandate:

- To establish contacts and maintain liaison with the JMC and all parties to the Agreement;

- To assist the JMC and the parties in developing modalities for the Implementation of the Agreement;

- To provide technical assistance, as requested to the JMC;

- To provide information to the Secretary-General regarding the situation on the ground, and to assist in refining a concept of operations for a possible further role of the United Nations in the Implementation of the Agreement once it is signed by all parties; and

- To secure from the parties guarantees of cooperation and assurances of security for the possible deployment in-country of military observers;

9. Welcomes the intention of the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative to serve as the Head of the United Nations presence in the subregion relating to the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to provide assistance in the Implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement, and invites him to do so as soon as possible;

10. Calls upon all States and parties concerned to ensure the freedom of movement, security and safety of United Nations personnel in their territory;

11. Calls for safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to those in need in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and urges all parties to the conflict to guarantee the safety and security of all humanitarian personnel and to respect strictly the relevant provisions of international humanitarian law;

12. Requests the Secretary-General to keep it regularly informed of developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to report at the appropriate time on the future presence of the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in support of the peace process;

13. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

 

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