The future of Ruanda-Urundi

XVI. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FROM 7 TO 28 JUNE 1962
Resolution adopted on the report of the Fourth Committee
1746 The future of Ruanda-Urundi

The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 1743 (XVI) of 23 February 1962 and the other resolutions on the question of the future of Ruanda-Urundi, as well as its resolution 63 (I) of 13 December 1946, Having considered the report of the United Nations Commission for Ruanda-Urundi[1] appointed under paragraph 2 of resolution 1743 (XVI), Noting that the efforts to maintain the unity of Ruanda-Urundi did not succeed, Welcoming the Agreement on Economic Union concluded between the Governments of Rwanda and Burundi at the Conference at Addis Ababa held under the auspices of the Commission, Taking into account the fact that the bulk of the Administering Authority's forces still remain in the Territory notwithstanding the objective, stated in paragraph 3 (e) of resolution 1743 (XVI), of securing the rapid withdrawal of Belgian military and paramilitary forces before independence, Expressing its satisfaction at the favourable trends towards reconciliation noted by the Commission in its report, in particular, in Rwanda, the participation in the Government of two members of the Opposition, Having heard the representatives of the Governments of Rwanda and Burundi and the petitioners, Recalling the Declaration on the granting of independence to colonial countries and peoples embodied in resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960, Taking note of the desire of the Governments of Rwanda and Burundi to attain independence as separate States on 1 July 1962, the date envisaged in paragraph 7 of resolution 1743 (XVI), Taking into account the declaration by the Government of Burundi that from the date of the proclamation of independence it will not agree to the presence of foreign troops on its soil, and the declaration by the Government of Rwanda that the termination of the Trusteeship Agreement will make illegal the presence of Belgian troops in the territory of the Republic, Noting the declaration of the Administering Authority that it will withdraw its forces from Rwanda and Burundi in accordance with the wishes of the General Assembly and the Governments concerned, Recalling that after independence Rwanda and Burundi will enjoy sovereign rights, Bearing in mind the needs which will confront Rwanda and Burundi in all fields when they accede to independence, Recalling its resolution 1415 (XIV) of 5 December 1959 on assistance to territories emerging from a trust status and to newly independent States,

1. Expresses its warm appreciation to the United Nations Commission for Ruanda-Urundi, 1962, for the way it has performed its tasks;

2. Decides, in agreement with the Administering Authority, to terminate the Trusteeship Agreement of 13 December 1946 in respect of Ruanda-Urundi on 1 July 1962, on which date Rwanda and Burundi shall emerge as two independent and sovereign States;

3. Calls upon the Government of Belgium to withdraw and evacuate its forces still remaining in Rwanda and Burundi, and that, as of 1 July 1962, the Belgian troops in process of evacuation will no longer have any role to play and that the evacuation must be completed by 1 August 1962, without prejudice to the sovereign rights of Rwanda and Burundi;

4. Requests the Secretary-General to send immediately to Rwanda and Burundi a representative together with a team of experts whose functions shall be:

(a) To supervise the withdrawal and evacuation of Belgian forces in accordance with this resolution;

(b) To help the Governments of Rwanda and Burundi to secure the implementation of the Agreement on Economic Union reached between the Governments of Rwanda and Burundi at Addis Ababa on 19 April 1962;

(c) To study, in consultation with the Governments concerned and in the light of the recommendations made by the United Nations Commission for Ruanda-Urundi, the need for technical and economic assistance in Rwanda and Burundi, so as to enable the Secretary-General to submit a report thereon, together with his recommendation, to the General Assembly at its seventeenth session;

(d) To assist the Governments of Rwanda and Burundi, at their request, in the organization of their administrative cadres and other related matters;

(e) To assist the Governments of Rwanda and Burundi, at their request, in the development and training of internal security forces;

5. Authorizes the Secretary-General, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of General Assembly resolution 1735 (XVI) of 20 December 1961 on unforeseen and extraordinary expenses for the financial year 1962, to enter into commitments not exceeding $2 million for the purpose of such emergency measures as may be required to ensure the continuation of essential services in the two countries, pending the consideration by the General Assembly of the report of the Secretary-General referred to in paragraph 4 (c) above;

6. Requests the United Nations Special Fund, the Technical Assistance Board and other United Nations bodies, as well as the specialized agencies, to give special consideration to the needs of Rwanda and Burundi;

7. Expresses the hope that all Member States of the United Nations will render such technical and economic assistance as they can to the new States of Rwanda and Burundi;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly at its seventeenth session on the implementation of this resolution;

9. Recommends that, after the proclamation of independence on 1 July 1962, Rwanda and Burundi should be admitted as Members of the United Nations under Article 4 of the Charter.

1118th plenary meeting,
27 June 1962.

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[1] Official Records of the General Assembly, Sixteenth Session, Annexes, second addendum to agenda item 49 (A/5126 and Add.1).