EU Missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Under the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), the European Union supports the Democratic Republic of the Congo in their security sector reform and thus contributes to the promotion of peace and stability in Africa.

ACTS

Council Joint Action 2005/355/CFSP of 2 May 2005 on the European Union mission to provide advice and assistance for security sector reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (EUSEC DR Congo). [See modifying acts].

Council Joint Action CFSP of 12 June 2007 on the European Union police mission undertaken in the framework of reform of the security sector SSR and its interface with the justice system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (EUPOL DR Congo). [See modifying acts].

SUMMARY

The European Union is leading two advisory and assistance missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) under the framework of the security sector reform (SSR) launched by the DRC Government. The “EUSEC DR Congo” mission is dedicated to reforming the Army, while the “EUPOL RD Congo” mission is dedicated to restructuring the police.

EUSEC DR Congo: objectives and structure

The aim of the “EUSEC DR” mission is to provide practical support to the Congolese Government for the integration of the Congolese army and good governance in the field of security. For example, the mission has contributed to a project aimed at modernising the Ministry of Defence’s chain of payment, helped to draw up a military statute and created a biometric census which should enable the reliable identification of all members of the Armed Forces.

The mission is composed of some sixty people based in Kinshasa, where the headquarters are located, in Goma, Bukavu and Bunia.

EUPOL DR Congo: objectives and structure

The aims of the “EUPOL DR Congo” mission are as follows:

• contribute to the reform and restructuring of the Congolese National Police through supporting the setting up of a viable, professional and multiethnic police force;
• contribute to improving interaction between the police and the criminal justice system;
• contribute to ensuring the consistency of all measures undertaken in the framework of the security sector reform, in close interaction with the EUSEC DR Congo mission;
• contribute to the peace process in the East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in police matters related to questions of equality between the sexes, human rights and children in armed conflicts.

The mission is composed of some fifty experts. The Headquarters are located in Kinshasa. As part of the stabilisation process in the East of the DRC, the mission also provides a permanent presence in Goma and Bukavu.

Context

The European Union supports the transition process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The EU has led a number of military and police missions in the country following the two wars which brought bloodshed to the country between 1996 and 1997 and between 1998 and 2002:

• ARTEMIS in 2003: the European Union participated in the improvement of the humanitarian and security situation in the province of Ituri;
• EUFOR DR Congo in 2006: the EU provided temporary military support for the United Nations mission (MONUC) during the election process;
• EUPOL Kinshasa from April 2005 to June 2007: advisory and supervisory mission to establish an Integrated Police Unit in Kinshasa.

In April 2005 the DRC Government requested the European Union’s assistance in the field of security sector reform. The Council responded favourably to this request. The EUSEC DR mission was launched on 8 April 2005. Its mandate has been extended twice and is due to come to an end on 30 June 2009. The EUPOL DR mission was launched on 1 July 2007. From an initial duration period of twelve months, its mandate has been extended to 30 June 2009.

These missions come under the framework of the European Union’s contribution towards conflict prevention, management and resolution in Africa (Common Position 2004/85/CFSP). Furthermore, the Council has appointed a European Union Special Representative (EUSR) in the African Great Lakes Region, who, since 1996, has been responsible for supporting efforts aimed at creating the necessary conditions for a sustainable and peaceful resolution to the crises which hit this region.

See also

For further information please consult the Council of the European Union’s website at:

Last updated: 11.09.2008