New York, Apr 10 2006
Security Council Approves UN Troop Redeployment From Burundi To Dr Congo
The Security Council today authorized the temporary redeployment of peacekeepers from the Organization's operation in
Burundi (ONUB) to its mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) to strengthen security and oversight for the
upcoming Congolese elections.
By a unanimous resolution, the Council approved the transfer of up to one infantry battalion, a military hospital and 50 military observers to MONUC, as determined last week by
Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
In a letter to the Council, Mr. Annan had requested the redeployment for an initial period lasting through the end of
2006. In its action today, the Council authorized the transfer until 1 July, but also expressed the intention to extend
it further depending on the future renewal of the mandates of the Burundi and Congo operations.
In the letter, Mr. Annan said the military units would operate in troubled Katanga province of the vast central African
country. UN agencies have reported that fighting in the area between the army and Mai Mai rebels has driven over 150,000
people from their homes in the last six months.
The observers would be deployed throughout the country to increase monitoring of the 18 June poll, which the UN is
helping to organize in the largest and most expensive electoral operation the world body has ever undertaken.
Pakistan and Jordan, the troop contributing countries, have indicated their agreement in principle to the transfer, Mr.
Annan’s letter stated.
In a December resolution extending ONUB's mandate, the Council had authorized redeployment of military and civilian
police personnel between the two missions as a step toward draw-down of the Burundi force after last year's successful
elections and other signs that it is successfully emerging from its 12-year civil war.
ENDS