United Nations Security Council Resolution 1693

by the United Nations

Adopted by the Security Council at its 5480th meeting, on 30 June 2006

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolutions and the statements by its President concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular resolutions 1565 of 1 October 2004, 1592 of 30 March 2005, 1596 of 18 April 2005, 1621 of 6 September 2005, 1628 of 30 September 2005, 1635 of 28 October 2005 and 1671 of 25 April 2006,

Reaffirming its commitment to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its support for the process of the Global and All Inclusive Agreement on the Transition, 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,

Taking note of the fact that the elections of members of the National Assembly and the first round of the election of the President of the Republic are scheduled for 30 July 2006,

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

Recalling the importance of the security sector reform for the long-term stabilization of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the contribution brought by the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), the EUSEC Mission and other international partners in this field,

Reiterating its serious concern regarding the continuation of hostilities by militias and foreign armed groups in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and at the threat they pose to the holding of elections,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General dated 13 June 2006 (S/2006/390), 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. Decides to extend until 30 September 2006 the increase in the military and civilian police strength of MONUC authorized by resolutions 1621 and 1635;

2. Underlines the temporary character of the increase referred to in the previous paragraph, and requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps with a view to downsizing or repatriating this additional strength by 30 September 2006, as long as their presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo would no longer be vital to the successful conduct of the electoral process;

3. Calls once again on the Transitional institutions and on all Congolese parties to ensure that free, fair and peaceful elections take place, that the timetable for polls developed by the Independent Electoral Commission is scrupulously respected and that security forces exercise restraint and remain impartial while providing security to the electoral process, and to respect the rights of every candidate to conduct a campaign;

4. Calls on all Congolese parties to refrain from incitement to hatred and violence;

5. Recalls that MONUC has the mandate, as set out in paragraph 7 of resolution 1565, within its capacity and without prejudice to carrying out tasks stipulated in paragraphs 4 and 5 of resolution 1565, inter alia, to provide assistance to the transitional government and authorities in order to contribute to their efforts, including those carried out with the support of EUSEC, with a view to take forward the security sector reform;

6. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.