Elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continue to attract international interest and attention. The European Union (EU), through a recent statement, expressed its support for the holding of competitive, peaceful, inclusive and transparent elections in December 2023.
The EU recognizes the efforts made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) and takes into account the concerns expressed by opposition political parties and civil society organisations. In order to guarantee the integrity of the electoral process, the EU calls for freedom of expression, of the media, of assembly, of association and of movement. Any excessive or disproportionate use of force in response to peaceful protests is considered inconsistent with this requirement.
At the same time, the EU stresses the importance of explicitly condemning hate speech and xenophobia. Any action or attitude aimed at denigrating an ethnic group, a minority or a religious community must be opposed. Speeches likely to increase the risk of inter-ethnic violence are also condemned. The objective is to promote unity and inclusiveness in the DRC, and not to tolerate any attempt at division based on ethnic, religious, regional or origin criteria.
This EU press release thus underlines the Union’s commitment to supporting the DRC in its democratic process. The EU considers that transparent and inclusive elections are essential for the consolidation of democracy and stability in the DRC. It invites all stakeholders, including the CENI and Congolese political actors, to work together to make these elections a true testimony of the will of the Congolese people.
The EU therefore continues to closely follow developments in the DRC and provide support to ensure that the December 2023 elections are a success. The desire to guarantee a transparent, inclusive and peaceful electoral process testifies to the importance of democracy and stability for the future of the DRC.
In conclusion, the EU positions itself in favor of the holding of competitive, peaceful, inclusive and transparent elections in the DRC. It calls for freedom and inclusion in the electoral process, while condemning hate speech and xenophobia