Security Council Press Statement on Democratic Republic of the Congo

 

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

The members of the Security Council were briefed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the situation in the country, in the context of the electoral process.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the holding of the second democratic election in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 28 November 2011, and congratulated the Congolese people for their large turnout to the presidential and legislative elections, which showed their strong commitment to democracy.

The members of the Security Council reminded all political leaders and candidates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that they are responsible for ensuring a fair and peaceful process.  They insisted that all candidates should maintain a calm and peaceful environment, exercise restraint, await the results that will be declared in accordance with national constitutional procedures and resolve their differences peacefully, through the established legal and mediation mechanisms, including the National Mediation Committee.  They condemned the violence that arose in some parts of the country.  They urged all candidates and their supporters to refrain from any acts of violence, provocation and incitement to violence before and after the publication of the provisional and final results of the polls.  They stressed the need for a thorough, credible, impartial and transparent investigation into such acts of violence, in order to bring to justice those responsible.  They stressed the need to protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The members of the Security Council noted with concern the level of logistical and technical difficulties encountered by the national and local authorities during the voting process.  They commended the efforts of the Commission électorale nationale indépendante (CENI), despite the difficulties of the electoral process.  They further supported the critical role played by the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), under the leadership of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Roger Meece, in providing technical and logistical assistance for the elections and promoting dialogue, as set out by resolution 1991 (2011), and appreciated the support provided by other States and regional organizations.  They also commended the work of national and international observers.

The members of the Security Council further took note of the Joint Declaration issued by the African Observer Mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (African Union, Southern African Development Community, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, Economic Community of the Central African States and the Common Market of East and Southern Africa) as well as the preliminary statement of the European Union observation mission and the statement of the Carter Center.

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.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record