United Nations Arms Embargoes - DRC (rebels)

United Nations arms embargoes

DRC (rebels)

In July 2003 Security Council resolution 1493 (PDF) demanded that 'that all States and in particular those in the region, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ensure that no direct or indirect assistance, especially military or financial assistance, is given to the movements and armed groups present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.'

The embargo covers arms supplies and other military assistance to armed groups (both Congolese and foreign) operating in North and South Kiva and Ituri in the eastern DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) and against groups not party to the 17 Dec. 2002 peace agreement (the 'Global and All-inclusive Agreement on the Transition') in the DRC.

In July 2004 Security Council resolution 1552 (PDF), extended the embargo until 31 July 2005.

In April 2005 Security Council resolution 1596 (PDF) expanded the embargoes coverage to include 'any recipient in the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo'. However, the resolution states that these measures 'shall not apply to:

(a) Supplies of arms and related materiel or technical training and assistance intended solely for support of or use by units of the army and police of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, provided that the said units:

- have completed the process of their integration, or

- operate under the command, respectively, of the état-major intégré of the Armed Forces or of the National Police of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or

- are in the process of their integration, in the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo outside the provinces of North and South Kivu and the Ituri district,

(b) Supplies of arms and related materiel as well as technical training and assistance intended solely for support of or use by the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC),

(c) Supplies of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use, and related technical assistance and training ... '.

In July 2005 Security Council resolution 1616 (PDF) extended the embargo until 31 July 2006

In July 2006 Security Council resolution 1698 (PDF) extended the embargo until 31 July 2007

In July 2007 Security Council resolution 1768 (PDF) extended the embargo until 10 August 2007

In August 2007 Security Council resolution 1771 (PDF) extended the embargo until 15 February 2008

In February 2008 Security Council resolution 1799 (PDF) extended the embargo until 31 March 2008

In March 2008 Security Council resolution 1807 (PDF) extended the embargo until the end of 2008 but lifted all restrictions on transfers to the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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