EU-missies in Democratische Republiek Congo verlengd (en)

The Council today extended the two EU missions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: the EU police mission (EUPOL) and the EU advisory and assistance mission for security reform (EUSEC). This is the last mandate for both missions, which will hand over their activities by 30 September 2014

EUPOL RD Congo helps the Congolese authorities to implement security sector reform in the fields of policing and its interaction with the justice system. It has 40 international staff from both the civilian and police sectors and Chief Superintendent Jean-Paul Rikir (Belgium) has been Head of Mission since October 2010. For the period from 1 October 2013 until 30 September 2014, the Council has allocated a budget of € 6.3 million to the mission

EUSEC RD Congo provides advice and assistance to the Congolese authorities in charge of the defence apparatus while ensuring the promotion of policies that are compatible with human rights and the rule of law, as well as the principles of good governance and transparency. It has approximately 40 international staff from 14 member states. Since October 2012, Colonel Jean-Louis Nurenberg (Luxembourg) has led the mission. The Council has also provided a budget of € 8.5 million for the period from 1 October 2013 until 30 September 2014

The two Common Security and Defence Policy missions are part of the overall EU engagement with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In July 2013, the Council adopted conclusions recognising that security sector reform in the Democratic Republic of Congo remains of strategic importance. In this context, the EU will support the Democratic Republic of Congo in building on the achievements of EUPOL and EUSEC to ensure that the process of lasting stabilisation will continue after the closure of the missions

For more information, see the EUPOL RDC and EUSEC websites