The Security Council today extended and expanded the arms embargo and related sanctions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which have been in place since 2003, for another year.

Council members voted unanimously to adopt a resolution continuing the regime of sanctions, which consists of an arms embargo against all armed groups that are not part of either the Government’s integrated army (known as the FARDC) or police units, through 30 November next year.

The 15-member panel also extended the mandate of the Group of Experts dealing with the DRC for the same period, and expanded its remit to include the creation of recommendations on due diligence guidelines for the buying and processing of lucrative mineral products in the troubled African country.

The Group of Experts has been asked to focus its activities on North and South Kivu, Ituri and Orientale provinces in the east of the country, which remains plagued by fighting and unrest since the end of the DRC’s brutal civil war earlier this decade.

The mandate of the Council subcommittee dealing with the DRC has also been expanded to take account of changing notification requirements for UN Member States complying with the embargo and sanctions.

1. • UN human rights chief announces release date for DR Congo Mapping Report (September 2, 2010)
2. • Key excerpts from UN report on Rwandan army genocide in DR Congo (August 27, 2010)
3. • UN report says Rwandan army committed genocide in DR Congo (August 26, 2010)
4. • UN Security Council calls for urgent action over mass DR Congo rape (August 26, 2010)
5. • UN Defends Inaction on Mass Rapes in Eastern Congo, Government Missing in Action (August 26, 2010)
6. • FDLR Rebels Continue Campaign of Terror in Eastern Congo (August 23, 2010)
7. • Two Suspects Arrested in Attack on MONUSCO Base (August 20, 2010)
8. • UN: Risks Increasing For Humanitarian Aid Workers (August 19, 2010)
9. • Ban Ki-moon deplores deadly attack against blue helmets in North Kivu (August 18, 2010)
10. • Congo Army Killed Ugandan Rebels Commander in North Kivu - Government (August 4, 2010)
11. • Ban Ki-moon inaugurates new phase of UN mission in DR Congo (July 1, 2010)
12. • Congo Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Independence (June 30, 2010)
13. • UN chief arrives in DR Congo to attend events marking independence anniversary (June 29, 2010)
14. • Top UN envoy bids farewell to first batch of blue helmets leaving DR Congo (June 16, 2010)
15. • Veteran United States diplomat appointed to top UN post in DR Congo (June 9, 2010)
16. • UN experts welcome steps taken in wake of murder of Floribert Chebeya (June 9, 2010)
17. • Joint Government and UN Inquiry Needed into Death of Floribert Chebeya (June 3, 2010)
18. • Top UN officials urge inquiry into killing of Congolese human rights activist (June 3, 2010)
19. • UN to reduce DR Congo peace force (May 28, 2010)
20. • Security Council agrees to convert UN mission in DR Congo into stabilization force (May 28, 2010)
21. • U.S. Official Sees Improvement in Africa's Great Lakes Region (May 26, 2010)
22. • Back from DR Congo, Security Council set to review mandate of UN force (May 17, 2010)
23. • Security Council members depart for two-day visit to DR Congo (May 13, 2010)
24. • Leader of Enyele Rebels Arrested in Equateur (May 5, 2010)
25. • 54 FDLR Rebels Relocated from North Kivu to Katanga (May 4, 2010)
26. • UN chief warns against early withdrawal from DR Congo (April 30, 2010)
27. • U.N. Security Council Cancels Congo Trip (April 16, 2010)
28. • DR Congo army regains control of Mbandaka (April 4, 2010)
29. • Enyele rebels enter major city in Equateur province (April 4, 2010)
30. • Behind Human Rights Watch Report on LRA, a Plea for MONUC to Remain in the Congo (March 29, 2010)

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