United Nations Security Council Resolution 1621

by the United Nations

Adopted by the Security Council at its 5255th meeting, on 6 September 2005

The Security Council,

Recalling its previous resolutions and the statements by its President concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular resolutions 1565 of 1 October 2004 and 1592 of 30 March 2005 and the statement of 29 June 2005 (S/PRST/2005/27),

Reaffirming its commitment to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as of all States in the region, and its support for the process of the Global and All Inclusive Agreement on the Transition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, signed in Pretoria on 17 December 2002,

Underlining the importance of elections as the foundation for the longer term restoration of peace and stability, national reconciliation and establishment of the rule of law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

Calling on the Transitional institutions and on all Congolese parties to ensure that free, fair and peaceful elections take place, and that the timetable for polls developed by the Independent Electoral Commission is scrupulously respected,

Paying tribute to the donor community for the assistance they provide to the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and encouraging them to maintain it,

Welcoming the interest and commitment shown by the Congolese authorities to promote good governance and transparent economic management, and encouraging them to continue their efforts in this regard,

Reiterating its serious concern regarding the continuation of hostilities by armed groups and militias in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at the violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law that accompany them, and at the threat they pose to the holding of elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

Taking note of the special report of the Secretary-General on elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dated 26 May 2005 (S/2005/320), and of its recommendations,

Noting that the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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. Approves the recommendations and the concept of operations described in paragraphs 50 to 57 of the special report of the Secretary-General, and authorizes an increase in the strength of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) of 841 personnel, including up to five formed police units of 125 officers each and the additional police personnel;

2. Underlines the temporary character of the deployments referred to in the previous paragraph, and requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps with a view to downsizing or repatriating these additional personnel from 1 July 2006 at the latest, and to report to the Council before 1 June 2006 on the assessment mentioned in paragraph 47 of his special report;

3. Approves the Secretary-General’s recommendation in paragraphs 58 and 59 of his special report, and authorizes MONUC, in accordance with this recommendation and with its mandate as defined in paragraphs 5 (f) and 7 (c) of resolution 1565, and acting in close coordination with the United Nations Development Programme, to provide additional support to the Independent Electoral Commission for the transport of electoral materials;

4. Encourages MONUC, within its capacity and in accordance with its mandate, to provide advice and assistance as well as the necessary support to the setting up by the Transitional Government, international financial institutions and donors, of an arrangement to strengthen support for good governance and transparent economic management;

5. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.