Communiques – en

Senators Coons, Isakson react to Congolese Supreme Court decision, call for transparent review of election results

Kinshasa/Nairobi/Brussels, 8 December 2011: A week after presidential and legislative polls, the Democratic Republic of Congo faces a political crisis that could plunge it back into major violence. Preliminary results, expected today, risk sparking opposition protests that, in turn, prompt heavy-handed repression by Congolese security forces and wider disorder. To avert violence, Congolese authorities must take urgent measures to salvage a reasonably representative result out of a badly flawed process. The United Nations, African Union and European Union must work together to mediate with Congolese leaders a way out of the crisis.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesperson

For Immediate Release December 6, 2011

2011/2072

Yesterday, a coalition of groups in Washington briefed the US Senate on actions it can take towards the current electoral crisis. The group is made up of:
Africa Faith and Justice Network
African Great Lakes Action Network
Friends of the Congo
Foreign Policy in Focus

(New York, December 4, 2011) – Human Rights Watch welcomes the opening of a judicial investigation by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo into alleged criminal offenses committed by members of the state security forces, including the Republican Guard, as well as other alleged criminal acts documented in our December 2, 2011 news release. Human Rights Watch will cooperate to the extent possible with competent and impartial judicial investigations as the organization has done in the past. Human Rights Watch has provided information in a number of previous Congolese judicial investigations that have contributed to convictions of individuals responsible for serious crimes.

On these days that mark the 2011 General Elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo, We call on all Congolese leaders of political parties, members of political parties, members of the armed forces and the police to demonstrate their respect for human rights, freedom of expression and choices as well as respect for the right of Congolese to live in peace and human security.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Vitaly Churkin (Russian Federation):

The Congolese people went to the polls yesterday to elect a new president and a new parliament. Early indications are that the turn out was generally high with polling booths remaining open long after the official closing time of five pm. Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI), witnessed a high level of participation in the voting and celebrates along with the Congolese electorate as they nobly exercised their mandate to democratically elect their leaders at the local and national levels. We also recognize that in spite of great odds, voting day was largely peaceful in the East of the country.

The joint electoral observation mission of AETA (Agir pour des Elections Transparentes et Apaisées) and EurAc (European Network for Central Africa) note that in spite of all the rumours announcing the postponement of the elections, these have taken place as foreseen on 28 November 2011. AETA and EurAc note that in a number of polling stations visited, there has been a strong commitment of the actors involved.

Kinshasa, November 26th,

At the invitation of the Congolese civil society organizations working together in the AETA network (Action for Transparent and Peaceful Elections), EurAc (the European Network for Central Africa) has sent an international election observation mission for the presidential and parliamentary elections, due to be held on Monday November 28.