The UN Security Council on Tuesday unanimously backed a resolution that tasks the peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo with helping to prepare elections and avoid deadly violence.

France presented the measure that renews the mandate for MONUSCO, the UN's biggest peacekeeping mission, until March 2019 and emphasizes the need to protect civilians as the DR Congo heads toward historic elections in December.

Western powers are turning up the pressure on President Joseph Kabila to allow a peaceful transfer of power after the December 23 vote and rein in his security forces after dozens of protesters were killed.

Requisite conditions

Russia warned that peacekeepers must not take sides in the elections while the DR Congo's ambassador said the mission's focus should be fighting rebel groups — not supporting elections.

The resolution "underscores the need to do everything possible to ensure that the elections on 23 December 2018 are organised with the requisite conditions of transparency, credibility and inclusivity and security."

French Ambassador Francois Delattre said the vote was "crucial for the future of the DRC but also for the region as a whole," paving the way to the first peaceful transfer of power in the DRC's history.

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"Without credible elections accepted by all, the stability of the country and of the entire region will be at risk," he told the council after the vote.

Kinshasa authorities have set a date for the vote but President Kabila, in power since 2001, has not clearly stated whether he will step aside, raising fears that the country will slide into all-out violence.

Logistical support

The council requested that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres make plans for beefing up the peacekeeping mission if needed, "looking at all options" such as sending reinforcements from other missions.

Mr Guterres will report to the council in 90 days on the contingency planning.

Under the resolution, MONUSCO will provide technical assistance and logistical support for the elections, help train the Congolese police and monitor human rights abuses which it will report to the council. (AFP)