EXERCISE Synopsis
Democratic Republic of the Congo
EXERCISE
MISSION: Plan for the reorganization and redeployment of the Intervention Brigade of the United
Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) to enable it to fulfill its mandate within the parameters set out in S/RES/2147 (2014) and as directed by the Force
Commander (to be provided to you). The Intervention Brigade is to support the Government of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and MONUSCO in protecting civilians by countering instability in eastern DRC caused by numerous armed rebel groups, including but not limited to the predominately
Hutu Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR) operating in eastern DRC. Authorized troop strength for the Intervention Brigade must fall within the authorized, total troop ceiling for MONUSCO as set out in the Security Council Resolution. Reorganization of the Intervention Brigade shall follow the requirements of the Force Commander, which will be given to you.
FACTS: Since independence in 1960, the DRC has suffered from internal division, strife and conflict, and has been victimized by external conflicts within the region. Since 1998, at least 5.5 million people within
DRC have been killed either directly or indirectly as a result of these conflicts.
As a result of the internal political and tribal divisions within DRC, numerous armed rebel groups have arisen, especially within eastern DRC. Further, numerous armed rebel groups from insurgencies and revolutions in neighboring countries have used eastern DRC as basing areas from which they launch attacks across the border and within DRC. This is especially true of former Burundian and Rwandan
Hutu génocidaires who escaped Burundi and Rwanda at the end of the 1993 and 1994 genocides in their respective countries.
In addition to DRC and foreign armed groups operating in DRC, eastern DRC has been inundated with refugees fleeing persecution and conflict in neighboring countries, and its own citizens fleeing conflict within DRC. Several times, the care and protection of these displaced persons has exhausted the capacity of the DRC government, the United Nations and the international humanitarian community, leading to humanitarian crises in eastern DRC.
The above-mentioned domestic and foreign armed groups regularly prey upon civilians in DRC, especially in the eastern provinces. Generally, these armed groups avoid attacking the DRC military or other armed groups. Instead, these armed groups attack unarmed civilians, committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Attacks against civilians not only include use of arms but also use of rape and sexual assault as weapons of war.
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) is a relatively small armed force vis-
à-vis the size of DRC (DRC is approximately 2/3 the size of Western Europe.). FARDC is poorly equipped, poorly led and its soldiers are often not paid. As a result, FARDC has generally been ineffective in countering the armed groups within DRC, especially those operating in eastern DRC. Further, just like with the armed groups, FARDC soldiers and officers have also been accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity against refugees and their own citizens.
MONUSCO: In 2010, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the United Nations Security Council authorized the current MONUSCO peacekeeping mission to bring stability, peace and good governance
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EXERCISE Synopsis
Democratic Republic of the Congo
EXERCISE to DRC. Protection of the civilian population has been a priority for MONUSCO since its creation. In
March 2014, the UN Security Council passed UN Security Council Resolution 2147, extending the mandate of MONUSCO, and its Intervention Brigade, to 31 March 2015. MONUSCO’s troop ceiling for
2014-2015 remained at 19,815 military personnel. S/RES/2147 (2014).
MONUSCO INTERVENTION BRIGADE: For a variety of reasons, including confusion over rules of engagement relative to protection of civilians, regular MONUSCO Peacekeeping troops were unable to counter operations by the various armed groups in eastern DRC and prevent attacks against the civilian population. As a result, in March 2013, the UN Security Council authorized the creation of an
Intervention Brigade. In UN Security Council Resolution 2098, the Security Council stated:
“… MONUSCO shall, … within the authorized troop ceiling of 19,815 … and without ... any prejudice to the principles of peacekeeping [consent of the parties, impartiality and
non-use of force except in self-defense and defense of the mandate], include an
‘Intervention Brigade’ consisting inter alia of three infantry battalions, one artillery and one Special force and Reconnaissance company with headquarters in Goma, under direct command of the MONUSCO Force Commander.” S/RES/2098 (2013), ¶ 9, bracketed, italicized insertion added.
The MONUSCO Intervention Brigade proved very effective in supporting FARDC operations against the
Mouvement due 23-Mars (M23) rebel group in eastern DRC in 2013. In November 2013, M23 crossed into Uganda and surrendered to Ugandan Defence Forces; signing a peace agreement with DRC in
December.
On 28 March 2014, the mandate for MONUSCO and the Intervention Brigade was extended to 31 March
2015:
“[The Security Council] acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, …
“1. Decides to extend the mandate of MONUSCO in the DRC, including … its
Intervention Brigade, within the authorized troop ceiling of 19,815 military personnel,
760 military observers and staff officers, 391 police personnel, 1,050 personnel of formed police units, until 31 March 2015….”
S/RES/2147 (2014), ¶ 1. Although mandated to support DRC efforts against all armed non-state groups in eastern DRC, the primary focus of operations has been against FLDR in eastern DRC.
To improve the effectiveness of operations, the MONUSCO Force Commander has decided to reorganize the Intervention Brigade.
Your mission is to plan for the reorganization and redeployment of the Intervention Brigade to fulfill its mandate within the parameters set out in S/RES/2147 (2014) and as directed by the Force
Commander (to be provided to you).
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