Also Extends Transport, Financial, Travel Measures; Mandate of Expert Group Monitoring Sanctions Regime

Determining that the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continued to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region, the Security Council decided this morning to extend the sanctions regime for that country, due to expire today, until 31 March.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1799 (2008) and acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council also extended until the same date the mandate of the Group of Experts monitoring the measures, as set out in resolution 1771 (2007) (see Press Release SC/9097 of 10 August 2007).

The sanctions regime consists of an arms embargo against armed groups in the country that are not part of the integrated army or police units, as well as a travel ban and assets freeze on those violating the embargo, as determined in resolutions 1493 (2003), 1596 (2005), 1698 (2006) and 1771 (2007).

During the period until 31 March, the Council intends to continue reviewing the measures with a view to adjusting them, as appropriate, in the light of consolidation of the security situation in the country. The Council reiterated its serious concern, however, regarding the presence of armed groups and militias in the eastern part of the country, particularly in the provinces of North and South Kivu and the Ituri district, which perpetuated a climate of insecurity in the whole region.

The meeting was called to order at 10:18 a.m. and adjourned at 10:21 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1799 (2008) reads as follows:

"The Security Council,

"Recalling its previous resolutions, in particular resolutions 1771 (2007) and 1794 (2007), and the statements by its President concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

"Condemning the continuing illicit flow of weapons within and into the Democratic Republic of the Congo, declaring its determination to continue to monitor closely the implementation of the arms embargo and other measures set out by its resolutions,

"Reiterating its serious concern regarding the presence of armed groups and militias in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in the provinces of North and South Kivu and the Ituri district, which perpetuate a climate of insecurity in the whole region,

"Recalling its intention to review the measures set forth in resolution 1771, with a view to adjusting them, as appropriate, in the light of consolidation of the security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular progress in security sector reform, including the integration of the armed forces and the reform of the national police, and in disarming, demobilizing, repatriating, resettling and reintegrating, as appropriate, Congolese and foreign armed groups,

"Determining 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 31 March 2008 the measures on arms imposed by paragraph 20 of resolution 1493 (2003) as amended and expanded by paragraph 1 of resolution 1596 (2005);

"2. Decides to extend, for the period specified in paragraph 1 above, the measures on transport imposed by paragraphs 6, 7 and 10 of resolution 1596;

"3. Decides to extend, for the period specified in paragraph 1 above, the financial and travel measures imposed by paragraphs 13 and 15 of resolution 1596, paragraph 2 of resolution 1649 (2005) and paragraph 13 of resolution 1698 (2006);

"4. Decides to extend, for the period specified in paragraph 1 above, the mandate of the Group of Experts referred to in paragraph 9 of resolution 1771;

"5. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."

* The 5835th Meeting was closed.