Brussels, 23/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - The mandates of the two CSDP missions of the European Union in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - EUPOL RD Congo, the police mission, and EUSEC RD Congo, the advisory and assistance mission for security reform - have been extended by a year, from 1 October of this year until 30 September 2014. This was formally decided by the Council of the EU, without debate, on Monday 23 September.
EUSEC RD Congo, a civil mission led by Colonel Jean-Louis Nurenberg from Luxembourg, provides advice and support to the Congolese authorities for the process of integrating the Congolese army, and good governance on security. An envelope of €8.5 million has been allocated to EUSEC RD Congo for its additional year's mandate.
EUPOL RD Congo, the EU mission that helps the Congolese authorities implement security sector reform in the fields of policing and its interaction with the justice system, is led by Chief Superintendent Jean-Paul Rikir from Belgium. The mission will be granted a budget of €6.3 million for a year. (AN/transl.fl)