UN maintains peacekeeping mission in Congo for another year

The UN Security Council unanimously decided on Tuesday to maintain its large peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo for another year because of the continuing insecurity there. Another major reason for keeping the 22,000-strong mission in Congo is to ensure that presidential elections, scheduled in November, are "timely, inclusive, peaceful, credible and transparent," the council said. The mission's new mandate will expire on June 30, 2012. The mission is tasked with protecting the civilian population and assist Congolese armed forces in strengthening security in eastern and northern provinces, where armed groups continue to challenge Kinshasa's authorities.