04 11 11 AETA/ EurAc: it is vital and urgent to create a consultation framework to deal with obstacles related to the implementation of the electoral calender in the DRC
The Congolese civil society platform, AETA, Agir pour les Elections Transparentes et
Apaisées (Action for Transparent and Peaceful Elections) and the
European network for Central Africa, EurAc present the declaration made by
Congolese civil society following a technical evaluation of the 2011-2013
electoral calendar as drawn up by the Independent National Electoral Commission
(CENI) and its likely impact on the nationwide presidential and parliamentary
elections planned for 28 November 2011.
Upon comparison of the
current electoral cycle with that of 2005-2006, we are extremely concerned at
the logistical, technical, political, judicial, security and time constraints
affecting the implementation of the electoral calendar, and the organisation of
the presidential and parliamentary elections on the 28th of November
2011.
We are now less than
four weeks away from the elections as proposed in the current calendar. Civil
society organisations both in the Congo and in Europe are seriously worried about the potential for
violence in each possible scenario.
Despite the great
efforts made by the CENI to keep its promise to make effective the presidential
and parliamentary polls on 28 November, we find it necessary to point out the
serious obstacles which persist.
As a precautionary
measure, in the event that the electoral calendar be delayed, AETA and EurAc
recommend that the Congolese authorities set up a permanent formal consultation
mechanism linking the CENI, the political parties and civil society. This
structure would be tasked with proposing urgent solutions regarding the
preparation, organisation and implementation of the operational timetable for
the presidential and parliamentary elections on 28 November. While this
structure must work with a clear agenda, it should not have decision making
power nor be a power sharing arrangement. Il should manage the potential for
instability related to the constitutional time limit concerning the ending of
the presidential mandate. AETA and EurAc ask the European Union and its
Member-States to support and accompany this
process.
AETA and EURAC
recommend that sufficient attention be given to civic education and to the
national observation mission during this electoral period, in order to ensure
that the Congolese people take ownership of the process, and that the population
be safeguarded against unnecessary manipulation or
violence.
Published in Kinshasa and Brussels, November 4th
2011
For
AETA For
EURAC
Jérôme
BONSO Kris
BERWOUTS
Annex : Déclaration de la
société civile congolaise sur l’évaluation technique de l’exécution du
calendrier électoral par la Ceni et son impact sur l’échéance électorale du 28
novembre.
For further
details:
Jérôme
Bonso
Secrétaire
Permanent AETA
Avenue
Lubefu
Kinshasa/
Gombe
Aeta_secretariatpermanent@yahoo.fr
0813330181/
0999923152
Kris
Berwouts
Rue des
Tanneurs, 165 B – 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32
(0)2 213 04 000
@:
kris.berwouts@eurac-network.org