The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) received congratulations from sixteen embassies of Western countries and the delegation of the European Union for the efforts made in the electoral process. The embassies note, however, certain technical shortcomings, such as the misappropriation of electoral material, as well as concerns related to the electoral register and its perception by the public. The Western partners underlined their desire to support the DRC towards competitive, peaceful, inclusive and transparent elections in December 2023, recommending that the CENI strengthen the confidence of the population and hold consultation frameworks.
This joint statement was signed by the embassies of the United States, Germany, Belgium, Canada, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Norway , the Netherlands, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and the Delegation of the European Union.
Despite the congratulations, this statement reflects concerns about the technical shortcomings that continue to plague the electoral process in the DRC. Western partners, however, affirmed their commitment to support the Congolese people on their way to a peaceful and transparent election in December 2023.
Importantly, this joint statement also underlined the need to build the confidence of the Congolese population in the electoral process, taking into account the diversity of the nation and including all stakeholders. To this end, the embassies recommended that the CENI be transparent and responsive, and hold consultation frameworks with civil society and political parties.
It is essential that the CENI strengthens its efforts in terms of transparency and responsiveness, by engaging openly with all stakeholders, in order to restore the confidence of the Congolese population in the results of the upcoming elections.