United Nations Security Council Resolution 1843

“The Security Council,

“Recalling its previous resolutions and statements of its President concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular resolutions 1794 (2007) and 1756 (2007) and the statement of its President dated 29 October 2008 (S/PRST/2008/40),

“Expressing its strong support to the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) in its efforts to restore peace in the Kivus and taking note of the letter addressed by the Secretary-General to the President of the Security Council dated 31 October 2008 (S/2008/703) requesting additional capacities for MONUC in order to ensure the effective implementation of its mandate,

“Recalling that under resolution 1794 (2007) the mandate of MONUC expires on 31 December 2008 and looking forward to the report and recommendations of the Secretary-General regarding MONUC’s mandate and reconfiguration,

“Reaffirming its commitment to respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

“Reiterating its condemnation of the resurgence of violence in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and demanding all parties to immediately respect a ceasefire,

“Welcoming the appointment of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo by the Secretary-General as his Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region and calling on all parties to the conflict to cooperate with him in finding an urgent political solution to the crisis,

“Expressing its extreme concern at the deteriorating humanitarian situation and in particular the targeted attacks against the civilian population, sexual violence, recruitment of child soldiers and summary executions, considering that this situation should be addressed as a matter of urgency,

“Urging all parties to ensure timely, safe and unhindered access of all humanitarian actors and to comply fully with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, human rights law and refugee law,

“Determining that the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to pose a threat to international peace and security in the region,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.  Decides to authorize, as recommended by the Secretary-General in his letter dated 31 October 2008 (S/2008/703), a temporary increase of MONUC’s authorized military strength by up to 2,785 military personnel, and the strength of its formed police unit by up to 300 personnel;

“2.  Authorizes the immediate deployment of those additional capacities until 31 December 2008 and expresses its intention to extend this authorization on the occasion of MONUC’s mandate renewal, underlining that the duration of stay of the additional forces will depend on the security situation in the Kivus;

“3.  Stresses that this temporary increase in personnel aims at enabling MONUC to reinforce its capacity to protect civilians, to reconfigure its structure and forces and to optimize their deployment;

“4.  Underscores the importance of MONUC implementing its mandate in full, including through robust rules of engagement;

“5.  Emphasizes that MONUC will be reviewed in view of the recent developments by 31 December 2008;

“6.  Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”