03 12 11 Security Council Press Statement on Democratic Republic of the Congo

The members of the
Security Council were briefed by the Special Representative of the
Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo on
the situation in the country, in the context of the electoral
process.

 

The members of the
Security Council welcomed the holding of the second democratic election in the
Democratic Republic of the
Congo on 28 November 2011, and congratulated
the Congolese people for their large turnout to the presidential and legislative
elections, which showed their strong commitment to
democracy.

 

The members of the
Security Council reminded all political leaders and candidates in the
Democratic Republic of the
Congo that they are responsible for ensuring a
fair and peaceful process.  They insisted that all candidates should maintain a
calm and peaceful environment, exercise restraint, await the results that will
be declared in accordance with national constitutional procedures and resolve
their differences peacefully, through the established legal and mediation
mechanisms, including the National Mediation Committee.  They condemned the
violence that arose in some parts of the country.  They urged all candidates and
their supporters to refrain from any acts of violence, provocation and
incitement to violence before and after the publication of the provisional and
final results of the polls.  They stressed the need for a thorough, credible,
impartial and transparent investigation into such acts of violence, in order to
bring to justice those responsible.  They stressed the need to protect and
promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.

 

The members of the
Security Council noted with concern the level of logistical and technical
difficulties encountered by the national and local authorities during the voting
process.  They commended the efforts of the Commission électorale nationale
indépendante (CENI), despite the difficulties of the electoral process.  They
further supported the critical role played by the United Nations Organization
Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), under
the leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Roger
Meece, in providing technical and logistical assistance for the elections and
promoting dialogue, as set out by resolution 1991 (2011), and appreciated the
support provided by other States and regional organizations.  They also
commended the work of national and international
observers.

 

The members of the
Security Council further took note of the Joint Declaration issued by the
African Observer Mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (African Union,
Southern African Development Community, International Conference on the Great
Lakes Region, Economic Community of the Central African States and the Common
Market of East and Southern Africa) as well as the preliminary statement of the
European Union observation mission and the statement of the Carter
Center.

 

The members of the
Security Council expressed their determination to continue to closely follow the
situation in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, in particular the
security conditions on the ground and the efforts to successfully conclude the
electoral process.