1. Renewing MONUSCO'S Mandate: What Role Beyond the Elections?
- Author:
- Arthur Boutellis and Guillaume Lacaille
- Publication Date:
- 05-2011
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- International Peace Institute
- Abstract:
- As they prepare to discuss the renewal of MONUSCO's mandate six months ahead of general elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the members of the UN Security Council are facing a dilemma. Should they limit the role of MONUSCO to the continued protection of civilians in eastern Congo, as agreed with President Joseph Kabila, or should they expand its mandate in an attempt to enforce democratic principles before the elections at the risk of confronting the incumbent regime? This issue brief argues that MONUSCO should be limited to a technical role in the election—as requested by the Congolese authorities—but only on the condition that the international community reengages President Kabila in a frank political dialogue on long term democratic governance reforms.
- Topic:
- Conflict Prevention, Democratization, and Peacekeeping
- Political Geography:
- Africa and Democratic Republic of the Congo