RDC / MONUC : An exit strategy is needed

By African Bulletin on April 7, 2010

“The Democratic Republic of the Congo has made notable progress, considering the formidable challenges it has overcome during the past 15 years”, Ban Ki-moon said in his latest report to the Security Council on MONUC.

The country has come a long way, emerging from what was widely described as “Africa’s First World War”. In this regard, however, a responsible exit strategy for the military component of the Mission must be anchored on building sustainable capacities for the rule of law and security institutions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in particular to consolidate the full exercise of the country’s sovereignty.
But the report highlights the “significant challenges” still facing the national government, including continued fighting with rebels in the Kivu provinces in the east, where human rights violations are rife, weak government institutions, the urgent need for training and reform in the national army and police, all remain a source of potential instability.
Joint reviews would be held with the government, beginning in early September, for the successive drawdown phases, including “essential” joint agreement on specific benchmarks for measuring progress towards accomplishing agreed urgent tasks. These tasks include:

* Successful completion of the ongoing military operations against rebel groups in the east,
* Deployment of national army battalions adequately trained and equipped by bilateral partners to progressively take over MONUC’s security role,
* The establishment of state authority through the deployment of police, territorial administration, and rule of law institutions, in areas freed from armed groups

In regard of all these elements, it is recommended that the mission be extended for another year from its current expiry date of May 31st. Concerning the total withdrawal of MONUC by 2011, Ban Qui-moon said:“I fully respect the government’s vision regarding the full exercise of its sovereignty and the need to empower national institutions and build their capacity to assume responsibility for the tasks that MONUC is currently performing”.