UK Forces in the Congo
The Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement was signed in July 1999 between the Democratic Republic of Congo and five regional states (Angola, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda and Zimbabwe). The UN Security Council setup MONUC to maintain liaison and carry out other tasks in the signing countries.
MONUC's size and mandate was extended on the 24th February 2000, upto a size of 5,537 military personnel including 500 or more observers if necessary. MONUC headquarters were in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with liaison offices in the other countries. Major-General Mountaga Diallo of Senegal was the force commander from March 2000.
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MONUC mandate was to monitor implementation of the ceasefire, to liaise with the headquarters of all the signing parties military forces. To develop an action plan for implementation of the ceasefire agreement within 45 days of the adoption of UN resolution 1291. To work towards the release of all prisoners or war, military captives and the remains of those killed and to supervise the disengagement and deployment of the signing parties forces as well as clear mine fields and protect UN and other personnel from any threat. |
The UK contributed military personnel to MONUC alongside Algeria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Senegal, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uruguay and Zambia.
The combatant countries withdrew from their frontline positions and armed UN troops enforce the 15 kilometer buffer zone around the former battle areas. The UN withdrew from the Congo area on 21st March 2001 but troops continue to police the buffer zone
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