On 10 July 1999 in Lusaka, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), along with Angola, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda and Zimbabwe signed the Ceasefire Agreement for a cessation of hostilities between all belligerent forces in DRC. The Movement for the Liberation of the Congo, one of two Congolese rebel movements, signed the Agreement on 1 August.

The Agreement included provisions on the normalization of the situation along the DRC border; the control of illicit trafficking of arms and the infiltration of armed groups; the holding of a national dialogue; the need to address security concerns; and the establishment of a mechanism for disarming militias and armed groups. It also provided for a Joint Military Commission (JMC) composed of two representatives from each party under a neutral Chairman appointed by the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and proposed an "appropriate force" to be constituted, facilitated and deployed by the United Nations in collaboration with OAU.

On 6 August, Security Council welcomed the agreement and urged the second rebel group, the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD) to sign as well. On the same occasion, the Council commended OAU, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the United Nations Secretary-General for their efforts to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict.

The Security Council had previously expressed its deep concern in August 1998, after tensions in the region had broken into the open. At that time, the Council noted that the conflict constituted a threat to regional peace and security. It reaffirmed the need for all States to refrain from interference in each other's internal affairs and called for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of foreign forces. The Council noted the need for national reconciliation respectful of the equality and harmony of all ethnic groups and leading to democratic elections.

In a further statement, in December 1998, the Council reaffirmed the obligation to respect the territorial integrity of DRC. It also indicated that it was prepared to consider the active involvement of the United Nations, in coordination with OAU, to help implement a ceasefire and an agreed process for a political settlement.

In April 1999, to further demonstrate his commitment to regional peace efforts, the Secretary-General appointed Moustapha Niasse (Senegal) as his Special Envoy for the DRC peace process, to be assisted by the Secretary-General's Representative for the Great Lakes Region, Mr. Berhanu Dinka, who had been appointed in December 1997. The Council welcomed the appointment of the Special Envoy in its resolution 1234 of 9 April 1999 and requested the Secretary-General to make recommendations on the role of the United Nations in the peace process.

In the same resolution, the Council, among other things, deplored the presence of forces of foreign States in DRC "in a manner inconsistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations", and called on those States to end the presence of the uninvited forces. In June, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the territorial integrity and political independence of all States in the region and called upon all parties to participate with a constructive and flexible spirit in the upcoming Lusaka summit.

Based on the Secretary-General's recommendations in his report dated 15 July 1999, the Security Council, by its resolution 1258 of 6 August 1999, authorized the deployment of up to 90 United Nations military liaison personnel, along with necessary civilian staff, to the capitals of the signatory States, to JMC provisional headquarters, to the rear military headquarters of the main belligerents in DRC as conditions permitted, and to other areas deemed necessary by the Secretary-General. Deployment began once RCD had signed the Lusaka Agreement on 31 August.

On 1 November 1999, the Secretary-General recommended an extension of the mandate. Although the survey team dispatched to the region had been unable to carry out the required reconnaissance visits, the Secretary-General sought prior authorization for the establishment of MONUC and the deployment of up to 500 military observers, provided the necessary military conditions were met. On 13 November, he appointed Kamel Morjane (Tunisia) as his Special Representative for DRC.

The Security Council, by its resolution 1279 of 30 November 1999, decided that the previously authorized personnel would constitute MONUC and expressed its intention to take a decision on further deployment on the basis of recommendations by the Secretary-General. It requested the Secretary-General to accelerate the development of a concept of operations based on assessed conditions of security, access and freedom of movement, and cooperation on the part of the signatories to the Agreement.

On 24 February 2000, the Security Council, by its resolution 1291 authorized the expansion of the Mission to consist of up to 5,537 military personnel, including up to 500 observers, or more, provided that the Secretary-General determined that there was a need and it could be accommodate within the overall force size and structure, and appropriate civilian support staff in the areas, inter alia, of human rights, humanitarian affairs, public information, child protection, political affairs, medical support and administrative support. The Council also requested the Secretary-General to recommend any additional force requirements that might become necessary to enhance force protection.

In his special report on DRC of 10 September 2002, the Secretary-General noted a number of favourable developments on the ground including the withdrawal of 23,400 Rwandan troops from the DRC, withdrawals by Uganda, Zimbabwe and Angola, and commitments by the parties for achieving an agreement on a political transition for the country.

In order to assist the parties to abide by their commitments under the agreements, the Secretary-General proposed an adjustment of the MONUC structure and deployment to shift the emphasis of its activity eastward, and enhance its disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration capacity through the creation of a forward force. That force would be comprised of two robust task forces, based in Kindu and Kisangani, as well as a reserve battalion, riverine units and specialized support units.

Acting under the Secretary-General’s recommendation, the Security Council by resolution 1445 of 4 December 2002 authorized the expansion of MONUC to a level of up to 8,700 military personnel in two task forces.

According to the Secretary-General in his second special report on DRC dated 27 May 2003, the peace process had now moved beyond the Lusaka framework and begun a new chapter that would require the comprehensive engagement and assistance of the United Nations and the international community. The main focus of MONUC should now shift to facilitating and assisting the transitional process. The Mission should, therefore, be reconfigured and augmented.

The Security Council by resolution 1493 of 28 July 2003 further raised the troop level to 10,800. At the same time, the Council instituted a 12-month arms embargo over areas in the eastern part of the country -- the Ituri district and in North and South Kivu -- where armed conflict continued.

On 1 October 2004, the Security Council by resolution 1565 authorized an additional 5,900 personnel for the Mission. Though the newly approved ceiling of 16,700 in total fell well below the figure of 23,900 troops and 507 UN police personnel that he had recommended in his report, the Secretary-General said the move would contribute to improving the Mission's operational capabilities which were severely under-resourced at the moment.

By the same resolution, the Council gave MONUC a series of new responsibilities, including ensuring the protection of civilians "under imminent threat of violence."

The resolution also called on MONUC to inspect - without notice if necessary - aircraft cargo and other traffic in North and South Kivu and Ituri in fulfilment of the ban on arms trading in the area. It also mandated MONUC to collect and dispose of arms and materiel that is found in the DRC in violation of international sanctions.

The Council also laid out a series of tasks for MONUC to carry out in support of the DRC Government of National Unity and Transition, including contributing to an improvement in security conditions and assisting in the promotion and protection of human rights.