Democratic Republic of the Congo: Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/2013/96)

I. Introduction

1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 2053 (2012). In paragraph 28 of that resolution, the Council requested that I report, by 14 February 2013, on the progress on the ground in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including towards the objectives outlined in paragraph 4 of the resolution, and on recommended benchmarks for measuring the progress and the impact of the disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration process on the strength of foreign armed groups. The Council also requested that I include in the report two thematic annexes, one on the strategic review of the implementation of the International Security and Stabilization Support Strategy as mentioned in paragraph 7 of the resolution, and one on the strategy and efforts to transfer some of the tasks of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to members of the United Nations country team. The present report covers developments that occurred since my report of 14 November 2012 (S/2012/838).

II. Major developments

1. The situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo remained fragile as elements from the former Congrès national pour la défense du peuple (CNDP), now known as the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23), further consolidated their control over a significant portion of North Kivu Province. On 20 November, after intense fighting involving the Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC) and MONUSCO, M23 occupied Goma and withdrew from the city only on 2 December. In that context, attacks against civilians intensified and the humanitarian situation deteriorated significantly. Regional tensions were fuelled by reports of active external support continuing to be provided to M23. The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, with the support of other international and regional partners, was successful in facilitating the opening of a dialogue between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and M23 in December. Despite a number of challenges and delays, those talks are continuing in Kampala.