UN Extends Congo Peacekeeping Mission

Posted June 28th, 2011 at 5:45 pm (UTC-5)
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The U.N. Security Council has extended the mandate of the U.N. peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of Congo for another year.

In a unanimous vote Tuesday, the council said any force reduction should depend on a decrease of violence in Congo's volatile east.

It also said any change to the nearly 20,000-strong force should be based on the Congolese government's consolidation of authority throughout the country and its ability to protect civilians.

The council said it is greatly concerned by the persistent high levels of violence and human rights abuses in eastern Congo as well as violations against civilians.

The extension comes days after the U.N. refugee agency said as many as 170 people were raped by gunmen in eastern Congo earlier this month.

Congo's government has repeatedly said that U.N. troops in the country should be gradually withdrawn, arguing that the country has made significant progress in reducing threats to the safety of citizens.