[1] As part of the Ituri Conflict Lendu and Hema militias were battling for control of the town after Ugandan troops withdrew after the signing of a peace agreement, and Congolese police fled.

The preamble of the resolution also praised the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) for its efforts to stabilise the situation in Bunia and Ituri, particularly the performance of the Uruguayan contingent (soon to be joined by a Bangladeshi force).

Determining the situation to be a threat to international peace and security in the region,[5] the Council considered requests from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ituri parties, Rwanda and Uganda to deploy a multinational force in Bunia.

Acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, the Council authorised the deployment of a temporary multinational force in Bunia to work in close co-ordination with MONUC until 1 September 2003.

Furthermore, the Council demanded that all Congolese parties and states in the Great Lakes region respect human rights, end support for armed groups and militias, and co-operate with the international force and MONUC in Bunia.