Security Council Press Statement on Democratic Republic of Congo

 

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President José Filipe Moraes Cabral ( Portugal):

The members of the Security Council were briefed by Roger Meece, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Margot Wallström, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their call for credible and peaceful elections, for which the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo bears the primary responsibility.  They reiterated their strong concern over reports of election-related violence in the country, and called upon all parties to campaign peacefully.

The members of the Security Council reminded all political leaders that they are responsible for ensuring a peaceful process and called upon all stakeholders to exercise restraint, support the work of the Commission électorale nationale indépendante (CENI) and resolve their differences peacefully.  They further urged all candidates and their supporters to refrain from any provocation or recourse to violence throughout the electoral process.

They further stressed and supported the critical role played by the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in providing technical and logistical assistance for the elections and promoting dialogue, as set out by resolution 1991 (2011).  They recalled their request to be regularly and timely briefed on the significant events of the electoral process and on MONUSCO’s support to the process.

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.

The members of the Security Council also reiterated their deep concern about the persistent high levels of violence, especially sexual violence, and human rights violations and abuses against civilians.  They reiterated the urgent need for the swift prosecution of all perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses, and urged the Congolese authorities, with the support of MONUSCO, to implement the appropriate responses to address this challenge.  They commended MONUSCO for continuing its efforts to implement its protection strategy.

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For information media • not an official record