Elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are a crucial issue for the consolidation of democracy and stability in the country. The European Union (EU), keen to support this process, is committed to accompanying the DRC on the way to competitive, peaceful, inclusive and transparent elections in December 2023.
In an official statement, the EU recognizes the work carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), while taking into account the criticisms and concerns expressed by opposition political parties and civil society organisations. It therefore calls on all stakeholders to work together to ensure fully inclusive, free, transparent and peaceful elections.
The EU emphasizes the importance of preserving the integrity of the electoral process, which implies respect for fundamental freedoms such as freedom of expression, of the media, of assembly, of association and of movement. It strongly condemns any excessive or disproportionate use of force in response to peaceful protests or arbitrary detentions.
The fight against hate speech and xenophobia is also highlighted by the EU. It calls on Congolese political actors to expressly condemn these speeches and to oppose any action aimed at denigrating an ethnic group, a minority or a religious community. The EU stresses the importance of holding accountable those who incite or resort to violence.
Finally, the EU condemns any attempt at division based on ethnic, religious, linguistic, regional or origin grounds. She believes that such attempts will not be tolerated and warns against the risk of inter-ethnic violence.
In conclusion, the EU’s engagement with the DRC in the 2023 electoral process demonstrates its support for the consolidation of democracy and stability in the country