Relaxation of UN embargo on arms exports to Congo hailed as ‘injustice righted’

The United Nations Security Council has just adopted a resolution relaxing the embargo on arms exports to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a decision hailed by Kinshasa as an “injustice repaired”.

The resolution removes language that previously required countries to inform the Security Council and its 15 members of any sale of arms or military assistance to the DRC. “A battle won, an injustice righted,” DRC government spokesman Patrick Muyaya tweeted after the resolution was adopted.

Having been under a UN arms embargo since 2000, Kinshasa has always deplored this requirement, saying it created an unnecessary bureaucratic obstacle in its fight against armed groups. The decision 22 years ago was made in response to the extent of the violence in the central African country.

In 2008, the Security Council amended its sanctions regime to apply only to armed groups. But it still required Kinshasa to notify a monitoring committee of any arms purchases. Earlier this year, the UN Security Council extended the sanctions regime but reduced the notification requirements for certain arms purchases. Kinshasa has since continued to push for a lifting of the restrictions as the DRC faces an upsurge in clashes with the M23 militia in the eastern parts of the country.

The Security Council had been pressed to act amid accusations that it was preventing the Congolese military from protecting civilians. The Security Council also voted to renew the mandate of the peacekeeping mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, for another year.