UN MISSION IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (MONUC)
http://www.monuc.org
Mission/Mandate:
“The United Nations Security Council established MONUC to facilitate the implementation of the Lusaka Accord signed in 1999. […]
MONUC’s mandate can be broken down into four phases:
- Phase one involved forcibly implementing the ceasefire agreement.
- Phase two involved its monitoring, and the reporting of any violations through the proper channels.
- The third phase, still underway, centers on the DDRRR (disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration) process.
- Phase four, also in progress, includes facilitating the transition towards the organization of credible elections.
[…] Its mandate authorizes it to use all means deemed necessary […] to protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence; and to contribute to the improvement of the security conditions.” (MONUC Website, http://www.monuc.org/news.aspx?newsID=11529, accessed on 12 July 2007)
MONUC has its headquarters in Kinshasa und field offices in Beni/Butembo, Bukavu, Bunia, Goma, Kalemie, Kananga, Kikwit, Kindu, Kisangani, Lubumbashi, Mahagi, Matadi, Mbandaka, Mbuji-Mayi and Uvira (MONUC Website, http://www.monuc.org/News.aspx?newsID=11534&menuOpened=About%20MONUC, accessed on 16 July 2007).
Target group:
International community.
Objective:
MONUC’s objective is to resolve the DRC crisis by addressing all aspects of state development (political, military, institutional, social, and economic) (MONUC Website, http://www.monuc.org/news.aspx?newsID=11530, accessed on 12 July 2007).
Topical focus points include, among others, human rights, humanitarian issues, child protection, civic education, elections, gender equality and HIV/AIDS. The protection of human rights and the monitoring of human rights violations is among MONUC’s core objectives: “The Human Rights Division monitors and documents human rights violations across the country. […] Special attention is paid to violations of the right to life, liberty and physical integrity, election related human rights violations and the role of mining companies in human rights abuses.
The Division also facilitates the protection of individuals under imminent threat of physical violence, such as witnesses, victims and human rights defenders. Measures are taken to protect these vulnerable persons in coordination with the military component and the humanitarian sections.” (MONUC Website, http://www.monuc.org/news.aspx?newsID=761&menuOpened=Activities, accessed on 12 July 2007)
Funding:
With a budget exceeding one billion dollars, MONUC is “the largest and most expensive mission in the Department of Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO)”.
MONUC is funded by the international community, primarily donor countries.
Scope of reporting:
Geographic focus: Democratic Republic of Congo.
Thematic focus: Security situation, child protection, HIV/AIDS, gender issues, human rights.
Reporting methodology:
News are produced by the Public Information Division, whose staff are situated in most MONUC offices in the DRC and which consists of a radio unit (Radio Okapi), a video production unit, a publications team, a web unit and an outreach unit (MONUC Website, http://www.monuc.org/news.aspx?newsID=9175&menuOpened=Activities, accessed on 22 February 2008).
Publication cycle:
UN documents and resolutions on a broad variety of topics (see chapter Objectives above) are published on an irregular basis; UN publications include the MONUC Bulletin, MONUC Hebdo, an election newsletter and sector bulletins on selected provinces (all in French only), as well as other periodicals. Resources on national politics offer government declarations and other external publications. Monthly Human Rights Assessments depict various aspects of the current humanitarian situation in the country.
News products include irregularly published press releases, weekly press briefings and daily press reviews and radio monitoring. Other publications include maps and a newsletter. A weekly video brief has been offered until 12 October 2007.
Languages:
English and French.
Navigation of website:
Press products can be obtained via the link Newsroom, publications, external documents and maps via Resources and videos and photos via Multimedia on the left-hand menu bar. Monthly Human Rights Assessments to be found at the bottom of the front page under the tab Human Rights.
Additional references:
