The UN/Congo: The UN Security Council voted unanimously yesterday to increase by 2,000 the number of peacekeepers in the Congo, give them a more robust mandate and impose an arms embargo on rebels killing and maiming civilians.
After weeks of haggling, the 15-member Council raised the ceiling for the UN force from 8,700 to 10,800 troops, observers and political officers and extended the UN mission, known as MONUC, until July 30, 2004.
Since a 1999 ceasefire, foreign troops have withdrawn and most hostilities have stopped, except in the resource-rich northeast and eastern areas marked by tribal fighting, where some militia groups serve as proxies for Rwanda and Uganda.
The United States had been hesitant about the increase, saying that unless there was a political will, more troops would not make a difference in the Congo.
But Washington relented and approved the new arrangements earlier this month.
"This resolution will allow the United Nations to have a more forceful and flexible presence in the Congo, particularly in the eastern part of the country," US Ambassador, Mr John Negroponte, told reporters.
"It is also crucial that the regional parties, particularly neighbouring states to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, play a constructive role in decreasing tensions in that country," Mr Negroponte said.
On May 30th, the council approved the deployment of the French-led force of 1,500 in the town of Bunia in the north-east Ituri area. The troops, authorized by the EU, will pull out in September.
Specifically, UN General-Secretary Kofi Annan has authorized 3,000 troops to go to Ituri to replace the French-led force and spread beyond the town of Bunia.
Aid groups estimate 2.5 million people have died in five years of war, most from hunger and disease as a result of the fighting.