The 15-member Security Council unanimously decided that MONUSCO -- the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo -- "shall support the organization and conduct of national, provincial and local elections, through the provision of technical and logistical support as requested by the Congolese authorities."
Presidential and legislative elections in DR Congo are scheduled for November, and current President Joseph Kabila is expected to run for a second term.
The resolution stressed "that the successful holding of timely, inclusive, peaceful, credible and transparent elections, in accordance with the constitution and international standards, is a key condition for the consolidation of democracy, national reconciliation."
In early June, DR Congo lawmakers approved a bill to hold November`s elections in a single round -- an idea opposition parties have rejected, saying it could undermine the legitimacy of the elected president.
MONUSCO`s main mandate remains to protect the civilian population, in a country where armed groups and soldiers are blamed for widespread instability, attacks and mass rape.
On Friday, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said up to 170 people were recently raped between June 10-12 in Nyakiele and Abala in eastern DR Congo.
In March, a report by UN experts denounced human rights violations in DR Congo, concluding that "on a massive scale, women have been victimized by sexual violence in the context of the armed conflict that has plagued and in some parts of the country continues to plague the DRC."
MONUSCO is one of the largest UN peacekeeping operations in the world with some 20,000 uniformed personnel.
A group of 47 Congolese and international NGOs called on the Security Council Thursday to increase funding to MONCUSCO, to protect civilians, as well as the victims of violence in Eastern DR Congo, ahead of November`s elections. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
