UN: Final Report of the Group of Experts on the DRC

United Nations

S

/2008/773

Security Council

Distr.: General12 December 2008Original: English

08-61877 (E) 111208

*0861877*

Letter dated 10 December 2008 from the Chairman of theSecurity Council Committee established pursuant to resolution1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congoaddressed to the President of the Security Council

On behalf of the Security Council Committee established pursuant toresolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and inaccordance with paragraph 18 (d) of resolution 1807 (2008), I have the honour tosubmit herewith the final report of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republicof the Congo.I would appreciate it if the present letter, together with its enclosure, werebrought to the attention of the members of the Security Council and issued as adocument of the Council.(

Signed

) R. M. Marty M.

Natalegawa

Chairman

S/2008/773

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EnclosureLetter dated 21 November 2008 from the Group of Expertson the Democratic Republic of the Congo addressed to theChairman of the Security Council Committee establishedpursuant to resolution 1533 (2004)

The members of the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of theCongo have the honour to transmit herewith the final report of the Group preparedpursuant to paragraph 18 (d) of Security Council resolution 1807 (2008).(

Signed

) Jason

Stearns

(

Signed

) Dinesh

Mahtani

(

Signed

) Mouctar Kokouma

Diallo

(

Signed

) Peter

Danssaert

(

Signed

) Sergio

Finardi

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Final report of the Group of Experts on the DemocraticRepublic of the CongoI. Methodology

1. The Group of Experts submitted its interim report on 28 July 2008. By hisletter dated 6 August 2008 (S/2008/526), the Secretary-General appointed twoexperts, Mr. Peter Danssaert (Belgium, arms) and Mr. Sergio Finardi (Italy,aviation), to replace two members who were not able to continue their functions.The Group continued to be assisted by Ms. Francesca Jannotti Pecci, PoliticalAffairs Officer, United Nations Secretariat, and Mr. Brian Johnson-Thomas,consultant (aviation). The Group began the second part of its mandate withconsultations with United Nations officials and diplomatic missions. The Grouparrived in Kinshasa on 16 August 2008 to begin 12 weeks of field work in theregion.2. Pursuant to paragraph 19 of resolution 1807 (2008), the Group has continuedwith its case study approach, focusing on North and South Kivu provinces, the mostviolent region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, focusing in particular onthe

Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda-Forces combattantesabacunguzi

(FDLR-FOCA) and the

Congres national pour la defense du peuple

(CNDP).3. Pursuant to paragraph 13 of resolution 1807 (2008), the Group has alsoinvestigated individuals who have committed violations of internationalhumanitarian law by targeting women and children, who have impeded thedisarmament process, and who have recruited child soldiers. The Group has workedin close collaboration with MONUC, relevant United Nations agencies and localorganizations on these matters.4. As requested by the Security Council in paragraph 5 of its resolution 1807(2008), the Group has investigated arms shipments to the Democratic Republic of the Congo of which exporting countries have failed to notify the Security CouncilCommittee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004).5. The Group also monitored the implementation by Member States of targetedtravel and financial measures imposed against individuals and entities listed by theCommittee.

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6. Pursuant to paragraph 18 (d) of resolution 1807 (2008), the Group hasexamined the link between natural resources and the financing of illegal armedgroups.7. The Group met with many different interlocutors during its fieldwork,including the civilian and military authorities of the Democratic Republic of theCongo and other regional States, national and international civil aviation authorities,staff of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of theCongo (MONUC), traders, air and land transport companies, and former and currentmilitia members.

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http://www.un.org/sc/committees/1533/pdf/1533_list.pdf.