               United Nations                                                                         S/RES/2463 (2019)
               Security Council                                                     Distr.: General
                                                                                    29 March 2019

                                                                                    Original: English




               Resolution 2463 (2019)
               Adopted by the Security Council at its 8498th meeting, on
               29 March 2019

                     The Security Council,
                    Recalling its previous resolutions and the statements of its President concerning
               the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), especially its resolutions 2424 (2018),
               2409 (2018), 2389 (2017), and previous resolutions regarding the mandate of
               MONUSCO and the sanctions regime established by resolutions 1493 (2003) and
               1807 (2008),
                     Reaffirming the basic principles of peacekeeping, including consent of the
               parties, impartiality, and non-use of force, except in self-defence and defence of the
               mandate, and recognizing that the mandate of each peace-keeping mission is specific
               to the need and situation of the country concerned,
                      Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and
               territorial integrity of the DRC as well as all States in the re gion and emphasizing the
               need to respect fully the principles of non-interference, good-neighbourliness and
               regional cooperation,
                     Welcoming the peaceful holding of the presidential, national and provincial
               elections in the DRC, commending the millions of Congolese people who went to the
               polls calmly and with determination, leading to the first peaceful transfer of power
               between Heads of State in the DRC, despite technical, logistical and security
               challenges and the decision to suspend the vote in certain parts of the country for
               specific health and security reasons, and welcoming the use of legal mechanisms by
               those who sought to dispute the outcome of the elections,
                     Stressing the crucial importance of the full completion of the current electoral
               cycle, including the outstanding legislative by-elections, and of peaceful, transparent,
               inclusive and credible local elections in accordance with the Constitution and
               Electoral Law, calling upon all parties to continue to reject violence of any kind,
               exercise maximum restraint in their actions and statements, to refrain from
               provocations such as violence and speeches inciting violence, so as not to inflame the
               situation, and to address their differences peacefully, noting the example set by the
               31 December 2016 “comprehensive and inclusive political agreement” in that regard,
                    Recalling that the Government of the DRC bears the primary responsibility to
               protect civilians within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction, including protection
               from crimes against humanity and war crimes,




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                     Welcoming the preliminary actions taken by President Tshisekedi to put an end
               to restrictions of the political space in the DRC, in particular arbitrary arrests and
               detention of members of the political opposition and of civil socie ty, as well as
               restrictions of fundamental freedoms such as the freedom of opinion and expression,
               freedom of the press, and the right of peaceful assembly, and encouraging further
               measures towards the prompt achievement of this objective,
                     Noting that the DRC has continued to suffer from recurring and evolving cycles
               of conflict and persistent violence by armed groups, expressing particular concern at
               the reports of inter-communal and militia violence in areas of the DRC, as well as the
               continued presence of foreign armed groups, while at the same time welcoming the
               expression of readiness by some armed groups to lay down their weapons and, in that
               regard, calling upon the Government of the DRC and its partners to urgently provide
               adequate and timely support for the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration
               (DDR) of former combatants, and calling upon all parties to take appropriate
               measures to protect civilians, as well as protect and respect United Nations,
               diplomatic and foreign premises, property and personnel in the DRC,
                    Reiterating its deep concern regarding the security and humanitarian crisis in
               the DRC exacerbated by destabilizing activities of foreign and domestic armed
               groups, stressing the importance of addressing the threat posed by armed gr oups in
               the DRC, and recognizing the importance of efforts of the Armed Forces of the DRC
               (FARDC) and the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the DRC
               (MONUSCO), including by conducting joint operations, in accordance with its
               mandate and the human rights due diligence policy on United Nations-support to
               non-United Nations forces (HRDDP),
                     Remaining deeply concerned by the persistent high levels of violence and
               violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitari an
               law in parts of the country, condemning in particular those involving targeted attacks
               against civilians, widespread sexual and gender-based violence, recruitment and use
               of children by armed groups and militias, the forced displacement of significant
               numbers of civilians, extrajudicial executions and arbitrary arrests, recognizing their
               deleterious effect on the stabilisation, reconstruction and development efforts in the
               DRC, and emphasizing that all acts of violence must be investigated and those
               responsible for all such violations and abuses must be swiftly brought to justice and
               held accountable, and calling upon the Government of the DRC to facilitate, in line
               with previous agreements, full and unhindered access for the Joint Human Rights
               Office in the DRC (UNJHRO) to all detention centres, hospitals and morgues and all
               other premises required for documenting human rights violations, as applicable,
                     Emphasizing the need for the Government of the DRC to respect human rights
               and refrain from disproportionate use of force, and welcoming the commitments and
               actions of President Tshisekedi in that regard, as well as his commitment to combat
               impunity in all areas, while remaining deeply concerned by reports of serious
               violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian
               law committed by some members of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC), the
               National Intelligence Agency (ANR), the Republican Guard and Congolese National
               Police (PNC) in 2018,
                     Reiterating its concern over the lack of progress in the investigations and
               prosecutions against alleged perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses
               committed during the 2011 electoral process, in January 2015, September and
               December 2016, in December 2017, and January, February and December 2018, and
               calling for further efforts to hold those responsible to account and fight impunity,
                   Recalling the importance of fighting impunity within all ranks of FARDC and
               PNC, commending the DRC authorities for prosecutions and convictions of members

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           of the FARDC and PNC for crimes against humanity and encouraging them to take
           further action, and stressing the need for the Government of the DRC to continue to
           ensure the increased professionalism of its security forces, including training a nd
           capacity building of security personnel to fully respect domestic and international
           human rights law, as well as international humanitarian law,
                 Reaffirming that the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the
           DRC and the region remains an essential mechanism to achieve durable peace and
           stability in the DRC and the region, recalling the strategic importance of its
           implementation, and reiterating its call to all signatories to fulfil promptly, fully and
           in good faith their respective commitments under this Framework in order to address
           the root causes of conflict and put an end to recurring cycles of violence, and promote
           lasting regional development,
                 Recalling that it is prepared to impose targeted sanctions under paragraph 7
           (d) and (e) of its resolution 2293 (2016), regarding inter alia human rights violations
           or abuses or violations of international humanitarian law,
                Recalling the continued cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC)
           by the Government of the DRC following the decision made by the Prosecutor of the
           ICC in June 2004 to open, following the request of the Government of the DRC, an
           investigation into alleged crimes committed in the context of armed conflict in the
           DRC since 2002, and stressing the importance of actively seeking to hold accountable
           those responsible for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in the
           country,
                 Encouraging the continuation of efforts by the Secretary-General of the United
           Nations, the African Union (AU), the International Conference on the Great Lakes
           Region (ICGLR), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to
           restore peace and security in the DRC, encouraging the Government of the DRC to
           ensure continuous close cooperation with these and other international parties, and
           recognizing the efforts of the Government of the DRC aiming at the achievement of
           peace and national development,
                 Reaffirming the important role of women and youth in the prevention and
           resolution of conflicts, and in peacebuilding, stressing the importance of their full,
           equal and effective participation in all efforts for the maintenance of and promotion
           of peace and security in the DRC,
                Expressing concern at the illegal exploitation and trafficking of natural
           resources, particularly timber, so-called “conflict minerals”, particularly gold, as well
           as charcoal and wildlife, by armed groups and criminal networks supporting them
           among others, and the negative impact of armed conflict on protected natural areas,
           which undermines lasting peace and development for the DRC, and encouraging the
           Government of the DRC to strengthen efforts to safeguard those areas, further
           encouraging member States of ICGLR and regional economic communities to further
           increase cooperation in fighting illegal exploitation and trade of natural resources,
           including through the responsible mineral sourcing supply chain due diligence,
                 Expressing great concern over the humanitarian situation that has left at least
           12.8 million Congolese in need of humanitarian assistance, further expressing deep
           concern regarding the growing number of internally displaced persons in the DRC
           with 2.1 million estimated to have been displaced in 2018, and the 531,000 refugees
           in the DRC, as well as the more than 781,000 refugees from the DRC in Africa as a
           result of ongoing hostilities, further calling upon the DRC and all States in the region
           to work towards a peaceful environment conducive to the realization of durable
           solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons, including their eventual
           voluntary return and reintegration in the DRC in conditions of safety and dignity, with

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               the support of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), stressing that any such
               solution should be in line with relevant obligations under international refugee law,
               international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and commending
               United Nations humanitarian agencies, partners, and donors for their efforts to
               provide urgent and coordinated support to the population, calling on member States
               and other international partners to scale up funding to urgently respond to the
               humanitarian needs in the country,
                     Expressing grave concern about the most recent outbreak of the Ebola virus in
               the DRC, which has affected more than 1000 people and claimed the lives of more
               than 600 people to date, commending the Government of the DRC for its leadership
               in responding to the outbreak, further commending the efforts of all humanitarian and
               health workers on the ground including those under the coordination of the World
               Health Organization (WHO), including by implementing preparedness and
               operational plans and collaboration with governments of the region and thos e
               providing assistance and calling on them to increase information sharing and
               coordination, and welcoming the support provided by MONUSCO,
                     Recalling all its relevant resolution on the protection of humanitarian and
               medical personnel, including resolutions 2439 (2018) and 2286 (2016) and expressing
               further concern at increased impediments to humanitarian access in eastern DRC
               resulting from insecurity and violence, condemning in that regard the continued
               attacks against humanitarian actors and assets, including in particular those
               perpetrated against humanitarian workers and medical personnel responding to the
               Ebola outbreak, which risk jeopardizing the response, calling upon all parties to
               respect the impartiality, independence and neutrality of humanitarian actors, and
               underlining the need for safe and unhindered access for humanitarian actors,
                     Recalling all its relevant resolutions on women, peace and security, on youth,
               peace and security, on children and armed conflict, and on the protection of civilians
               in armed conflict, also recalling the conclusions on children and armed conflict in the
               DRC (S/AC.51/2018/2) adopted on 7 August 2018 by the Security Council Working
               Group on Children and Armed Conflict pertaining to the parties in armed conflicts o f
               the DRC, and welcoming efforts of the Government of the DRC in this regard, further
               welcoming efforts by the Government of the DRC to implement resolution 1325
               (2000) and encouraging the implementation of the National Action plan,
                     Welcoming the progress achieved by the Government of the DRC, including the
               Presidential Adviser on Sexual Violence and the Recruitment of Children, in
               cooperation with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for
               Children and Armed Conflict, the SRSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and
               MONUSCO, to implement the action plans to prevent and end the recruitment and
               use of children and sexual violence by the FARDC, and to combat impunity for sexual
               violence in conflict, including sexual violence committed by the FARDC and the
               PNC, as highlighted by the Secretary General in his report S/2018/250, further
               welcoming the work carried out by MONUSCO child protection advisors, the UN
               Country Team involved in DRC in order to prevent and eliminate violations and
               abuses committed against children, including those involving the recruitment and use
               of children in armed conflict, recalling that such violations may lead to sanctions
               under paragraph 7(d) of resolution 2293 (2016), and further calling on all actors to
               contribute to the rehabilitation and reintegration of children formerly associated with
               armed conflict,
                     Welcoming the efforts of MONUSCO and international partners in delivering
               training in human rights, international humanitarian law, gender mainstreaming, child
               protection and protection from sexual and gender-based violence for Congolese
               security institutions and underlining their importance,


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                 Recognizing the important use of confidence-building, facilitation, mediation,
           and community engagement, and the need for MONUSCO, as appropriate and when
           possible, to continue to explore how it can use these techniques to enhanc e its ability
           to support the Mission’s protection, information gathering and situational awareness,
           and to implement its mandated tasks, including to protect civilians,
                 Welcoming the commitment of the Secretary-General to enforce strictly his zerotolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), noting the various measures
           taken by MONUSCO and Troop- and Police-contributing countries (T/PCCs) to
           combat SEA, which has led to a reduction in reported cases, but still expressing grave
           concern over allegations of SEA reportedly committed by peacekeepers and civilian
           personnel in the DRC, emphasizing the need to ensure that incidents can be reported,
           including by MONUSCO personnel, and duly verified in a safe and simple manner,
           stressing the urgent need for T/PCCs and, as appropriate, MONUSCO to promptly
           investigate those allegations in a credible and transparent manner and for those
           responsible for such criminal offences or misconduct to be held to account, and
           further stressing the need to prevent such exploitation and abuse and to improve how
           these allegations are addressed in line with resolution 2272 (2016),
                 Reiterating its call on all parties to cooperate fully with MONUSCO and to
           remain committed to the full and objective implementation of the Mission ’s mandate,
           reiterating its condemnation of any and all attacks against peacekeepers, and
           emphasizing that those responsible for such attacks must be held accountable,
                 Emphasizing that MONUSCO’s activities should be conducted in such a manner
           as to build and sustain peace and facilitate progress towards sustainable peace and
           development, so as to reduce the level of threat posed by domestic and foreign armed
           groups to a level that can be managed by the DRC’s security forces, and that progress
           in the fight against impunity is critical for the security forces are to no longer be
           perceived as a threat to civilians, stressing the need to involve the UNCT and, in this
           regard, emphasizing the importance of joint analysis and effective strategic planning
           with the UNCT,
                Welcoming the commitment of the Congolese authorities to closely collaborate
           with MONUSCO and their support to a reconfiguration of the Mission, which the
           Security Council intends to enact, taking into account the strategic review as per
           paragraph 45 below,
                 Determining that the situation in the DRC continues to constitute a threat to
           international peace and security in the region,
                Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

           Political situation and electoral process
                 1.   Commends the Congolese people for their conduct during the presidential,
           national and provincial elections, that led to the first peaceful transfer of power
           between Heads of States in the history of the DRC, further welcomes the important
           role played by national as well as the regional observation missions of SADC, ICGLR
           and the African Union, reiterates its appeal to all Congolese actors to work for the
           preservation of the still fragile gains in the path of peace and stability in the DRC,
           further appeals for the pursuit of national unity, confidence building and
           peacebuilding, including through inclusive political dialogue among all stakeholders;
                 2.    Calls upon the DRC authorities to work towards the stabilisation and
           strengthening of the capacity of State institutions, with the support of MONUSCO, in
           order to fulfil the rights and needs of all Congolese people, further calls upon all
           political stakeholders to work toward a climate of peace, transparency, inclusion and


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               credibility during preparations for the holding of local elections in accordance with
               the Constitution and the Electoral law;
                     3.    Requests the Secretary-General and calls upon regional organisations to
               provide political support to the strengthening of State institutions in the DRC and the
               restoration of trust among the different parties, including through their good offices,
               in order to consolidate peace and security, tackle the root causes of conflict in priority
               areas, as well as foster a broad national consensus around key governance and security
               reforms, the fight against illegal exploitations of natural resources, and support to
               current electoral processes, in line with the government of DRC’s national priorities;

               Human Rights
                     4.     Reiterates its condemnation of the violence witnessed in Eastern DRC and
               the Kasaï region, strongly condemns the violence committed in Yumbi territory on
               16–18 December 2018, some of which the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office
               (UNJHRO) reported may constitute crimes against humanity, further reiterates the
               importance and urgency of prompt and transparent investigations into violations of
               international humanitarian law and violations or abuses of human rights in these
               regions, including sexual violence, as well as its intention to closely monitor progress
               of the investigations into these violations and abuses, in order to bring to justice and
               hold accountable all those responsible, and looks forward to their results; welcomes
               the commitments of the DRC authorities in that regard, further welcomes the
               cooperation of the Government of the DRC with the team of international experts on
               the situation in the Kasai regions mandated by the Human Rights Council in its
               resolution 35/33, requests the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
               to implement all the recommendations made by the team of international experts in
               its report, and to cooperate with the team of two international human rights experts,
               charged with monitoring, evaluating, providing support and reporting on the
               implementation by the DRC of those recommendations; further welcomes the
               Government of the DRC’s continued cooperation with the United Nations team
               deployed, as agreed, to assist the Congolese authorities investigations into the deaths
               of the two UN experts in March 2017, and calls on them to ensure all perpetrators are
               brought to justice and held accountable;
                     5.    Urges the Government of the DRC to hold accountable those responsible
               for violations of international humanitarian law or violations and abuses of human
               rights, as applicable, in particular those that may amount to war crimes and crimes
               against humanity, and stresses both regional cooperation and the DRC’s cooperation
               with the ICC, following the DRC’s referral of the situation in the DRC in 2004, as
               well as cooperation with the African Court of Human and People ’s Rights;
                     6.    Reiterates its concern about the increase in reported human rights
               violations by State agents in 2018, welcomes in that regard the decision by President
               Tshisekedi to hold security forces and police accountable for violations of human
               rights, release political prisoners, and close irregular detention centre s, and his
               commitments to ensure the Government of the DRC respects human rights and
               fundamental freedoms, as well as to investigate violations of human rights by State
               agents, and calls for their swift implementation, further calls upon the Congolese
               authorities to ensure the prosecution of those responsible for the crimes involving
               human rights violations and abuses committed in the context of elections, deplores
               the loss of lives, injuries and arrests recorded during various incidents and condemns
               any disproportionate use of force, welcomes investigations by the Congolese
               authorities on any disproportionate use of force by security forces on peaceful
               protesters, and calls on the Congolese authorities to ensure that those responsible for
               these acts are swiftly brought to justice, underlines the importance of observing the
               rule of law;

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                 7.    Strongly condemns sexual violence in conflict perpetrated by all parties in
           the DRC, welcomes efforts made by the Government of the DRC to combat and
           prevent sexual violence in conflict, including progress made in the fight against
           impunity through the arrest, prosecution and conviction of perpetrators from the
           FARDC and the PNC, and urges the Government of the DRC to continue to strengthen
           its efforts to combat impunity for sexual violence in conflict, including sexual
           violence committed by the FARDC and PNC at all levels, and to provide all necessary
           services and protection to survivors, victims and witnesses, and further calls upon the
           Government of the DRC to complete investigations into allegations of sexual
           exploitation and abuse by members of the FARDC in line with the its zero -tolerance
           policy and, if appropriate, to prosecute those responsible, further encourages the
           government to take all measures to support the psychological and medical support of
           victims of sexual violence in conflict to facilitate their return to a normal life and to
           provide all necessary services, including legal, and protection to survivors;
                 8.   Encourages the Government of the DRC to implement in full its National
           Strategy and the Roadmap agreed during the national conference in Kinshasa from
           11–13 October 2016 to evaluate the implementation of the Joint Communiqué
           between the Government of the DRC and the United Nations on the Fight Against
           Sexual Violence in Conflict adopted in Kinshasa on 30 March 2013;
                 9.   Welcomes the progress made by the Government of the DRC to consolidate
           the gains of the Action Plan to End and Prevent the Recruitment and Use of Children
           and expedite its implementation and to take all necessary steps to end and prevent
           violations and abuses against children, and to ensure that children are not detained
           for their alleged association with armed groups and are handed over to child
           protection actors, in line with the Ministry of Defence and the National Intelligence
           Agency Directives issued in 2013, and calls upon the Government of the DRC to
           continue its efforts;

           Armed Groups
                 10. Strongly condemns all armed groups operating in the DRC and their
           violations of international humanitarian law as well as other applicable international
           law, and abuses of human rights especially those involving attacks on the civilian
           population, United Nations and associated personnel and humanitarian actors, as well
           as medical personnel and facilities, summary executions, sexual and gender based
           violence and recruitment and use of children, abductions of children and humanitarian
           personnel, attacks on schools and hospitals in violation of applicable international
           law, and reiterates that those responsible must be held accountable;
                 11. Demands that all armed groups cease immediately all forms of violence,
           including violations and abuses against children, the use of civilians as human shields
           and other destabilizing activities, the illegal exploitation and trafficking of natural
           resources, and further demands that their members immediately and permanently
           disband, lay down their arms, reject violence and release children fr om their ranks,
           recalls in this regard its resolution 2424 (2018) renewing the sanctions regime
           established by its resolution 1807 (2008);
                12. Welcomes the repatriation of FDLR disarmed combatants and some former
           M23 combatants, calls on the signatory states of the PSC Framework to follow up
           and provide regular updates on the reintegration of the repatriated former FDLR
           combatants and their dependents formerly in the camps in Kisangani, Walungu and
           Kanyabayonga and to complete without precondition the repatriation of the remaining
           former M23 combatants, as well as other combatants seeking voluntary return to their
           country of origin, within the shortest time frame possible;



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                     13. Urges the Governments of the region, with the support of the PSC
               Guarantors, to strengthen their collaboration in addressing appropriately and
               holistically the threat of all remaining foreign armed groups in the DRC and the illici t
               flow of weapons in the region, and encourages them to promote the transparent and
               lawful management of natural resources, including the adoption of government
               revenue targets to finance development, sustainable regulatory and customs
               frameworks, and responsible mineral sourcing supply chain due diligence, and recalls
               in this regard its resolutions 2457 (2019) and 2389 (2017);
                     14. Calls for joint operations by the FARDC and MONUSCO, that include
               joint planning and tactical cooperation, in accordance with MONUSCO ’s mandate
               and the United Nations HRDDP, to ensure all efforts possible are being made to
               neutralize armed groups and stresses the need to carry out operations in strict
               compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law and
               international human rights law, as applicable;
                     15. Calls on the Government of the DRC to take further military action and to
               enhance non-military approaches, including tailored Disarmament, Demobilisation
               and Reintegration (DDR) initiatives, in accordance with international law, including
               international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as applicable, in
               coordination and with the support of MONUSCO in accordance with its mandate, to
               end the threat posed by domestic and foreign armed groups operating in eastern DRC,
               further calls on the Government of the DRC and other signatories to implement the
               provisions of the PSC Framework related to the root causes of conflict in order to put
               an end to the recurring cycle of violence;
                     16. Welcomes the renewed commitment of all the signatory states of the PSC
               Framework towards its full implementation, reaffirms that the PSC Framework
               remains an essential mechanism to achieve durable peace and stability in the DRC
               and the Region, and stresses in this regard the importance of the signatory States fully
               implementing their national and regional commitments under the PSC Framework,
               including not interfering in the internal affairs of neighbouring countries, neither
               tolerating nor providing assistance or support of any kind to armed groups, and neither
               harbouring nor providing protection of any kind to persons accused of war crimes,
               crimes against humanity or acts of genocide;
                     17. Welcomes the preliminary actions taken by President Tshisekedi to
               advance security sector reform, and encourages further action in that regard, and calls
               on the Government of the DRC, which has the primary responsibility for safeguarding
               the DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, to make further meaningful progress
               in implementing its commitments under the PSC Framework, in particular as regards
               the consolidation of State authority, reconciliation, tolerance and democracy, and to
               remain fully committed to protecting the civilian population through the swift
               establishment of professional, accountable and sustainable security forces, the
               deployment of an accountable Congolese civil administration, in particular the police,
               judiciary, prison and territorial administration and the consolidation of rule of law
               and promotion and protection of human rights;
                     18. Calls upon the Government of the DRC to take further steps in particular
               to uphold its national commitments to Security Sector Reform (SSR), and to readjust
               its national approach towards DDR, ensuring accountability and the protection of
               children’s rights is an integral part of those processes, and notes with concern the
               limited progress in those fields essential for the DRC’s stabilisation to date;
                     19. Encourages the Government of the DRC to initiate a strategic shift on
               DDR away from static demobilisation structures to a more flexible approach, in order
               to effectively attract combatants willing to demobilize into tailored DDR initiatives
               and transition into a peaceful civilian life with sustainable economic alternatives and

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           opportunities, further encourages the government and international partners to
           allocate adequate resources to its DDR initiatives, acknowledges that the absence of
           a credible DDR process adjusted to current armed groups dynamics is preventing
           armed elements from laying down their weapons;
                 20. Calls for continued national efforts to address the threat posed by the illicit
           transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of small arms and light weapons,
           including inter alia through ensuring the safe and effective management, storage and
           security of their stockpiles of weapons and ammunition, with the continued support
           of MONUSCO, as appropriate and within existing resources;

           MONUSCO’s mandate
                 21. Decides to extend until 20 December 2019 the mandate of MONUSCO in
           the DRC, including, on an exceptional basis and without creating a preced ent or any
           prejudice to the agreed principles of peacekeeping, its Intervention Brigade, and
           expresses its intention to further adjust MONUSCO’s mandate following the
           publication of the Secretary General’s strategic review pursuant to paragraph 45 of
           this resolution;
                22. Decides that MONUSCO’s authorized troop ceiling will be comprised of
           16,215 military personnel, 660 military observers and staff officers, 391 police
           personnel, and 1,050 personnel of formed police units;
                23. Decides that the strategic priorities of MONUSCO are to contribute to the
           following objectives:
                (a)   Protection of civilians, as described in paragraph 29(i) of this resolution;
                 (b) Support to the stabilisation and strengthening of State institutions in the
           DRC and key governance and security reforms, as described in paragraph 29(ii) of
           this resolution;
                 24. Stresses that MONUSCO’s mandate should be implemented based on a
           prioritization of tasks established in paragraphs 29 to 40 of this resolution, and further
           requests the Secretary-General to reflect this prioritization in the deployment of the
           mission and to align budgetary resources according to the prioritization of mandate
           tasks as set out in this resolution, while ensuring appropriate resources for the
           implementation of the mandate, and, in this regard, reaffirms that the protection of
           civilians must be given priority in decisions about the use of available capacity and
           resources, welcomes in that regard the implementation of MONUSCO’s
           comprehensive approach to protection of civilians, in particular through a civilianled, mission-wide approach, including the use of integrated Mobile Monitoring
           Teams;
                 25. Notes that drivers behind different armed groups’ activities and militia
           violence are varied, internal and external, and that there is no purely military solution
           to these problems, underlines the importance of enhanced political and conflict
           analysis to inform comprehensive military and civil responses to these threats across
           MONUSCO, including through collecting, analysing and exchanging information at
           the proper levels and with the Government of the DRC on the criminal networks
           which support these armed groups, as well as through supporting the DRC authorities
           to hold accountable those responsible for violations of internationa l humanitarian law
           or violations and abuses of human rights, and further underlines the need for tailored
           responses in tackling armed groups;
                26. Notes that the elimination of the threat posed by armed groups will require
           an integrated and regional approach and strong political engagement by the
           governments of DRC and the region, with the support of MONUSCO and the Special

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               Envoy for the Great Lakes, and stresses the need for coordination and cooperation
               between the Government of the DRC and other national authorities, United Nations
               entities, civil society organisations and development actors to build and sustain peace,
               stabilize, improve security situation and assist in restoration of State authority;
                    27. Urges MONUSCO to work with the Office of the Special Envoy for the
               Great Lakes to seek political solutions to stop the cross-border flows of armed
               combatants, arms and conflict minerals that threaten pe ace and stability in the DRC,
               by coordinating strategies and conducting information-sharing;
                    28. Authorizes MONUSCO, in pursuit of its mandated tasks, to take all
               necessary measures to carry out its mandate and requests the Secretary-General to
               immediately inform the Security Council should MONUSCO fail to do so;
                     29. Decides that the mandate of MONUSCO shall include the following
               priority tasks, bearing in mind that these tasks as well as those in paragraph 30 below
               are mutually reinforcing, and that all MONUSCO’s tasks should be implemented in
               a manner consistent with respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms:

               (i)   Protection of civilians
                     (a) Ensure effective, dynamic and integrated protection of civilians under
               threat of physical violence through a comprehensive approach, including by
               preventing, deterring, and stopping all armed groups and local militias from inflicting
               violence on the populations, in consultation with local communities, and by
               supporting and undertaking local mediation efforts to prevent escalation of violence,
               paying particular attention to civilians gathered in displaced persons and refugee
               camps, peaceful demonstrators, humanitarian personnel and human rights defenders,
               in line with the basic principles of peacekeeping and with a focus on violence
               emerging from any of the parties engaged in the conflict, outbreaks of violence
               between ethnic or religious rival groups or communities in identified territories, as
               well as in the context of elections, and mitigating the risk to civilians before, during
               and after any military operation;
                     (b) Work with the Government of the DRC and humanitarian workers to
               identify threats to civilians and implement existing prevention and response plans and
               strengthen civil-military cooperation, including joint planning, to ensure the
               protection of civilians from abuses and violations of human rights and violations of
               international humanitarian law, including all forms of sexual and gender -based
               violence and violations and abuses committed against children and persons with
               disabilities, and requests MONUSCO to accelerate the coordinated implementation
               of monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on sexual violence in conflict and
               to continue to ensure the effectiveness of the monitoring and reporting mechanism on
               children and armed conflict;
                     (c) Enhance its interaction with civilians, including by the troops, to raise
               awareness and understanding about its mandate and activities, to strengthen its early
               warning mechanism, and to increase its efforts to monitor and document violations of
               international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights; and
               continue and strengthen local community engagement and empowerment, as well as
               strengthening protection of civilians through early warning and response, including
               prevention, as appropriate, and by ensuring mobility of the mission;
                     (d) Neutralize armed groups through the Intervention Brigade, under direct
               command of MONUSCO Force commander: in support of the authorities of the DRC,
               on the basis of information collection and analysis, and taking full account of the need
               to protect civilians and mitigate risk before, during and after any military operation,
               carry out targeted offensive operations in the DRC through the Intervention Briga de


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           with the support of the whole of MONUSCO, either unilaterally or jointly with the
           FARDC, in a robust, highly mobile and versatile manner and in strict compliance with
           international law, including international humanitarian law, and in accordance with
           the standing operating procedures applicable to persons who are captured or who
           surrender, and with the United Nations HRDDP, prevent the expansion of all armed
           groups, neutralize these groups, and disarm them in order to contribute to the
           objective of reducing the threat posed by armed groups to state authority and civilian
           security in the DRC and to make space for stabilisation activities, and for the whole
           of MONUSCO force component to guarantee effective protection of civilians,
           including in support of operations conducted by the Intervention Brigade to neutralize
           armed groups and in areas where armed groups have been neutralized;
                 (e) Provide good offices, advice and assistance to enable the Government of
           the DRC to facilitate the prevention, mitigation, and resolution of intercommunal
           conflicts through, inter alia, mediation and community engagement, and to ensure
           actions against armed groups are supported by civilian and police components as part
           of consolidated planning which provides a comprehensive re sponse to area-based
           stabilisation efforts;
                 (f) Work with the authorities of the DRC, leveraging the capacities and
           expertise of the UN Police, the UN Prosecution Support Cell, UNJHRO and other
           MONUSCO Justice components, to investigate and prosecute, all those allegedly
           responsible for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity and violations of
           international humanitarian law and violations or abuses of human rights in the
           country, including through cooperation with States of the region and the ICC,
           following the decision made by the Prosecutor of the ICC in June 2004 to open,
           following the request of the Government of the DRC, an investigation into alleged
           crimes committed in the context of armed conflict in the DRC since 2002;
                 (g) Provide good offices, advice and support to the Government of the DRC
           to promote human rights, in particular civil and political rights, and to fight impunity,
           including through the implementation of the Government ’s “zero tolerance policy”
           with respect to discipline and human rights and international humanitarian law
           violations, committed by elements of the security sector, and to engage and facilitate
           mediation efforts at local level to advance sustainable peace;

           (ii) Support to stabilisation and the strengthening of State institutions in the
           DRC, and key governance and security reforms
                (a) Provide technical and political support, including through good offices and
           engagement with interlocutors across the political spectrum, including the
           Government, opposition parties, local authorities and civil society, in coordination
           with regional and international partners, with a view to furthering reconciliation,
           democratisation and inclusion, and to promote intercommunal reconciliation,
           including by undertaking local dialogues on community security, with a view to
           addressing the root causes of conflict;
                 (b) Provide coordination between the Government of the DRC, international
           partners and United Nations agencies in a targeted, sequenced and coordinated
           approach to stabilisation informed by up to date conflict analysis, through the
           implementation of the International Security and Stabilisation Support Strategy
           (ISSSS) and adoption of a conflict-sensitive approach across the Mission, in order to
           establish functional, professional, and accountable state institutions, including
           security and judicial institutions; in that regard, provide expertise, advice and training
           to the Congolese security forces to strengthen their capacity, in particular through
           human rights training and through continued implementation of the Integrated



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               Operational Strategy for the Fight Against Insecurity, developed by MONUSCO
               police, in compliance with the United Nations HRDDP;
                     (c) Monitor, report immediately to the Security Council, and follow-up on
               human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law
               to report on restrictions on political space and violence, including in the context of
               the elections, and support the United Nations system in-country to ensure that any
               support provided by the United Nations shall be consistent with international
               humanitarian law and human rights law and refugee law as applicable;
                     (d) Provide technical assistance to the government of the DRC in the
               consolidation of an effective national civilian structure that controls key mining
               activities and manages in an equitable manner the extraction, transport, and trade of
               natural resources in eastern DRC;

               (iii) Protection of the United Nations
               Ensure the protection of United Nations personnel, facilities, installations and
               equipment and the security and freedom of movement of United Nations and
               associated personnel;
                    30. Further authorizes MONUSCO to pursue the following tasks, in a
               streamlined and sequenced manner, and in support of the strategic priorities identified
               above:

               (i)   Disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration (DDR)
                     (a) Provide good offices, advice and assistance to the Government of the
               DRC, in close cooperation with other international partners, in the DDR of Congolese
               combatants not suspected of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or abuses
               of human rights, into a peaceful civilian life in line with a Community Violence
               Reduction (CVR) approach through community-based security and stabilisation
               measures and flexible disarmament and demobilisation approach, coordinated under
               the framework of the ISSSS, while paying specific attention to the needs of children
               formerly associated with armed forces and groups;
                     (b) Advise and support the DRC authorities in the disposal of weapons and
               ammunitions of disarmed Congolese and foreign combatants in compliance with
               resolution 2424 (2018) as well as applicable international arms control treaties,
               including the Nairobi Protocol of which the DRC is signatory party and the Kinshasa
               Convention;
                     (c) Provide support to the disarmament, demobilisation, repatriation,
               resettlement and reintegration (DDRRR) process to return and reintegrate foreign
               combatants not suspected of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or abuses
               of human rights and their dependants to a peaceful civilian life in their country of
               origin, or a receptive third country while paying specific attention to the needs of
               children formerly associated with armed forces and groups;
                     (d) Continue to collaborate with the Government of the DRC in the swift and
               vigorous implementation of the Action Plan to Prevent and end the Recruitment and
               Use of Children and Sexual Violence by the FARDC, and continue dialogue with all
               listed parties to obtain further commitments and work towards the development and
               implementation of action plans to prevent and end violations and abuses against
               children;




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           (ii)   Security Sector Reform (SSR)
           Work with the Government of the DRC:
                 (a) in the reform of the police, including by assisting the Comité de réforme
           de la police, and by advocating for the establishment of the Secrétariat Général à la
           sécurité et à l’ordre public that will coordinate security institutions with a law
           enforcement mission;
                 (b) to encourage inclusive SSR, which delivers security, law enforcement and
           justice to all, including to women and children, and persons in vulnerable situation,
           and accelerate national ownership of SSR by the Government of the DRC, including
           through the development of a common national vision, to be encapsulated in a
           national security policy, as well as a clear and comprehensive SSR implementation
           roadmap including benchmarks and timelines, and play a leading role in coordinating
           the support for SSR provided by international and bilateral partners and the United
           Nations system;
                 (c) in compliance with the United Nations HRDDP, for army reform that
           would enhance its accountability, efficiency, self-sustainability, training, vetting and
           effectiveness, while noting that any support provided by the United Nations,
           including in the form of rations and fuel, should be only for joint operations, jointly
           planned and executed, and subject to appropriate oversight and scrutiny, failing which
           that support should be suspended;
                  (d) for the implementation of any appropriate recommendations for justice
           and prison sector reforms as contained in the National Justice Reform Plan and the
           final report of the Etats généraux de la Justice, including on the fight against impu nity,
           for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, in order to develop
           independent, accountable and functioning justice and security institutions;

           (iii) Sanctions regime
           Monitor the implementation of the arms embargo as described in paragraph 1 of
           resolution 2293 (2016) in cooperation with the Group of Experts established by
           resolution 1533 (2004), and in particular observe and report on flows of military
           personnel, arms or related materiel across the eastern border of the DRC, including
           by using, as specified in the letter of the Council dated 22 January 2013 (S/2013/44),
           surveillance capabilities provided by unmanned aerial systems, seize, collect, record
           and dispose of arms or related materiel brought into the DRC in violation of the
           measures imposed by paragraph 1 of resolution 2293 (2016), and exchange relevant
           information with the Group of Experts;

           Child protection
                 31. Requests MONUSCO to take fully into account child protection as a crosscutting issue throughout its mandate and to assist the Government of the DRC in
           ensuring that the protection of children’s rights is taken into account, inter alia, in
           DDR processes and in SSR as well as during interventions leading to the separation
           of children from armed groups in order to end and prevent violations and abuses
           against children, and acknowledges the crucial role of United Nations Child
           Protection Advisers deployed as a standalone capacity in MONUSCO in that regard;

           Gender, Sexual Violence, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
                 32. Requests MONUSCO to take fully into account gender considerations as
           a crosscutting issue throughout its mandate and to assist the Government of the DRC
           and other relevant stakeholders in ensuring the equal and meaningful participation


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               and full involvement and representation of women at all levels for the maintenance
               and promotion of peace and security, including in the conduct of elections, protection
               of civilians and support to stabilisation efforts through, inter alia, the provision of
               gender and women protection advisers and focal points at headquarters and field
               levels, participation of women civil society organization members with regards to
               conflict prevention and resolution, and further requests enhanced reporting by
               MONUSCO to the Council on this issue;
                     33. Acknowledges the crucial role of United Nations Women Protection
               Advisers deployed in MONUSCO in supporting the Government of the DRC to
               implement its commitments on addressing sexual violence in conflict and calls on
               MONUSCO to ensure they continue to work closely with the Government of the DRC
               at both strategic and operational levels;
                    34. Requests MONUSCO to ensure that any support provided to national
               security forces is in strict compliance with the United Nations HRDDP, and calls upon
               the Government of the DRC to work with MONUSCO to support the promotion of
               DRC security service personnel with reputable human rights records;
                     35. Recalls its Presidential statement S/PRST/2015/22 and its resolution 2272
               (2016), reiterates the urgent and imperative need to hold accountable all perpetrators
               of violations of international humanitarian law, as well as sexual exploitation and
               abuse, requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary measures to ensure full
               compliance of all personnel in MONUSCO with the United Nations zero-tolerance
               policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to keep the Council fully informed
               through his reports to the Council about the Mission’s progress in this regard, and
               urges T/PCCs to continue taking appropriate preventative action including vetting of
               all personnel, predeployment and in-mission awareness training, and to ensure full
               accountability in cases of such conduct involving their personnel through timely
               investigation of allegations by T/PCCs and MONUSCO, as appropriate;

               Humanitarian Access
                     36. Demands that all parties allow and facilitate the full, safe, immediate and
               unhindered access of humanitarian personnel, equipment and supplies and the timely
               delivery of humanitarian assistance to populations in need, in particular to internally
               displaced persons, throughout the territory of the DRC, respecting the United Nations
               guiding principles of humanitarian assistance, including humanity, impartiality,
               neutrality and independence, and relevant provisions of international law;
                     37. Calls on MONUSCO to strengthen its collaboration with humanitarian
               actors and streamline coordination mechanisms with humanitarian agencies to ensure
               information sharing on protection risks to the population;
                     38. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining international support and
               engagement – financially, technically and in-kind – to bring the Ebola outbreak
               successfully to an end; requests all relevant parts of the United Nations System to
               continue their work in response to the Ebola outbreak, and notes the important
               positive role of MONUSCO in that regard;
                    39. Calls on all Member States to generously contribute to the United Nations
               humanitarian appeals for the DRC and the region to help ensure that United Nations
               humanitarian agencies and other international organizations are fully funded and able
               to address the protection and assistance needs of internally displaced persons,
               survivors of sexual violence, and other vulnerable communities;




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           Support to the Group of Experts
                  40. Expresses its full support to the United Nations Group of Experts
           established by resolution 1533 (2004), calls for enhanced cooperation between all
           States, particularly those in the region, MONUSCO and the Group of Experts,
           encourages timely information exchange between MONUSCO and the Group of
           Experts, further encourages all parties and all States to ensure cooperation with the
           Group of Experts by individuals and entities within their jurisd iction or under their
           control and reiterates its demand that all parties and all States ensure the safety of its
           members and its support staff, and unhindered and immediate access, in particular to
           persons, documents and sites the Group of Experts deems relevant to the execution
           of its mandate;

           Mission effectiveness
                 41. Recalls the provisions set forth in paragraph 47 to 52 of resolution 2409
           (2018), welcomes the initiatives undertaken by the Secretary-General to standardize
           a culture of performance in UN peacekeeping, and reaffirms its support, as set out in
           OP1 of resolution 2436 (2018), for the development of a comprehensive and
           integrated performance policy framework that identifies clear standards of
           performance for evaluating all United Nations civilian and uniformed personnel
           working in and supporting peacekeeping operations that facilitates effective a nd full
           implementation of mandates, and includes comprehensive and objective
           methodologies based on clear and well-defined benchmarks to ensure accountability
           for underperformance and incentives and recognition for outstanding performance,
           and calls on him to apply it to MONUSCO, as described in resolution 2436 (2018);
                 42. Requests MONUSCO to consider the environmental impacts of its
           operations when fulfilling its mandated tasks and, in this context, to m anage them as
           appropriate and in accordance with applicable and relevant General Assembly
           resolutions and United Nations rules and regulations;
                 43. Requests the Secretary General to implement a zero-tolerance policy on
           serious misconduct, sexual exploitation and abuse, fraud, corruption, trafficking in
           natural resources or wildlife, including by making full use of the existing authority of
           the SRSG to ensure accountability of the Mission’s staff and through effective
           mission support arrangement;

           Strategic review and exit strategy
                 44. Underscores the need to progressively transfer MONUSCO’s tasks to the
           Government of the DRC, the UNCT and other relevant stakeholders in order to enable
           the responsible and sustainable exit of MONUSCO, based on the positiv e evolution
           of the situation on the ground, and in a way that contributes to sustainable progress
           towards the stabilization of the DRC, consolidation of State authority and reduction
           of the threat posed by armed groups;
                 45. Requests in this regard, the Secretary-General, in accordance with best
           practices, to conduct and provide the Security Council, no later than 20 October 2019,
           with an independent strategic review of MONUSCO assessing the continued
           challenges to peace and security in the DRC and articula ting a phased, progressive
           and comprehensive exit strategy, including:
                (i) An assessment, in consultation with the Government of DRC, UN
                agencies, member States, regional organisations and independent experts of the
                continued relevance of all mandated tasks, priorities and related resources;




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                    (ii) Recommendations, devised in consultation with the Government of DRC,
                    UN agencies, member States, regional organisations and independent experts,
                    for realistic, relevant and clearly measurable benchmarks and indicators, as well
                    as indicative timelines for implementation, focused on increasing the capacity
                    of the Government of the DRC and UNCT to enable them to absorb former
                    MONUSCO tasks;
                    (iii) Options for adapting MONUSCO’s future configuration of its civilian,
                    police and military components, including by reducing MONUSCO’s Force and
                    civilian footprint in line with MONUSCO’s priorities during the implementation
                    of the exit strategy and benchmarks and indicators;

               Reports by the Secretary-General
                     46. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council every three months
               on the implementation of MONUSCO’s mandate, including its Intervention Brigade,
               as set out in this resolution, including on:
                    (i) the situation on the ground, including updates on operations to neutralize
                    armed groups, in accordance with paragraph 29.i.(d), and any instances where
                    the Mission is not effectively fulfilling its protection of civilians mandate, and
                    the circumstances surrounding these instances, including, as appropriat e,
                    incidents where units assert undeclared national caveats, lack effective
                    command and control, refuse to obey orders, fail to respond to attacks on
                    civilians, and have inadequate equipment;
                    (ii) the ways in which MONUSCO is assessing security risks and
                    implementing its mandate, including in terms of deployment of the Force in
                    areas identified as potential zones of instability and configuration of civilian
                    and police components of MONUSCO, and addressing sexual violence and the
                    impact of conflict on women and children using disaggregated data, and any
                    gender considerations made;
                    (iii) progress made by the DRC on protecting human rights and in the
                    implementation of its commitments under the PSC Framework, including
                    through the establishment and implementation of a national SSR roadmap, its
                    provincial stabilisation plan supported by the ISSSS and on the implementation
                    of the DDR and DDRRR plans;
                    (iv) progress in the implementation of the measures taken to transform
                    MONUSCO and improve its performance, including measures to ensure
                    Mission effectiveness as outlined in paragraphs 41 to 43, steps taken to prevent
                    and redress performance failures, the effectiveness of the deployment of rapidly
                    deployable battalions and the effects of the employment of the Interv ention
                    Brigade’s capabilities, implementation of the comprehensive approach to
                    protection of civilians, to become more mobile, efficient and effective in
                    implementing its mandate and associated requirements, and on the definition of
                    an exit strategy for MONUSCO, including the Intervention Brigade;
                    (v) the risks and their implications for the safety and the security for the
                    United Nations personnel and facilities as a result of the possible military
                    operations as well as all instances of threats against MON USCO personnel, and
                    measures taken to strengthen their security and mitigate risks;
                    (vi) the performance of all MONUSCO units in accordance with the
                    Operational Readiness Assurance and Performance Improvement Policy and the
                    Secretary General zero-tolerance policy on Sexual violence and abuse,
                    including on the percentage of MONUSCO contingents who have satisfied the
                    requirements of the these reviews, the status of any remediation action to

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                address contingents who have not satisfied requirements, and detaili ng plans to
                address contingents where remediation is not deemed appropriate, as certified
                by the Force Commander;
                47. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council every six
           months, in coordination with the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Great
           Lakes Region and the SRSG for the DRC on the implementation of the commitments
           under the PSC Framework and its linkages with the broader security situation in the
           Great Lakes Region;
                48.   Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.




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