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Peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): MONUC (United Nations Observer Mission in the DRC) Fact sheet released by the Bureau of International Organization Affairs U.S. Department of State, March 30, 2000

Key Dates

• August 6, 1999, Resolution 1258 establishes UN liaison mission to the Congo; Resolution 1279 of November 30, 1999 extends its mandate through March 1, 2000.
• February 24, 2000, Resolution 1291 establishes MONUC cease-fire observer mission; current mandate expires: August 31, 2000.

Staffing

	Authorized	Actual (as of 2/29/00)
		Total	U.S.
Troops	5,037	0	0
Observers*	500	83	0

* Fewer than 90 military liaison officers had been deployed to the region in accordance with the terms of UNSCR 1258 and UNSCR 1279. Deployment of cease-fire observer mission established by UNSCR 1291 is contingent on access and security.

Financing (Regular peacekeeping assessments)

	Total UN Cost	U.S. assessment (at 25%)
FY 1999	0	0
FY 2000	$164 million*	$42 million*
FY 2001 estimate	$378 million	$94 million

* Includes USG estimates for liaison mission authorized by UNSCR 1258, and for six months of the expanded operation authorized by UNSCR 1291.

Mandate

MONUC works in cooperation with the Joint Monitoring Commission (JMC) established by the mid-1999 Lusaka Cease-fire Agreement to monitor the implementation of the cease-fire and investigate violations; to maintain liaison with the parties to the Agreement and with their field headquarters; and to develop an action plan for the overall implementation of Agreement. In addition, MONUC will supervise and verify the disengagement of the parties and will provide support and technical assistance to the Facilitator of the Congolese National Dialogue.

U.S. Interests

The U.S. has an interest in upholding regional stability and in preventing the resurgence of genocide and mass killing in Central Africa. The Congo conflict involves troops from a half dozen countries and has become intertwined with internal conflicts in Rwanda, Uganda, Angola and Burundi. Continued fighting has produced a dangerous security vacuum that has drawn in rogue states which are seeking weapons sales, political allies, and access to strategic materials. The Congo conflict has the potential to destabilize much of the African continent, with significant costs to U.S. political and economic interests.

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