Amid Rising Tensions, Secretary-General Calls on Stakeholders in Democratic Republic of Congo to Place Country’s Interests above Their Own

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is profoundly concerned by reports of increasing political tensions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo linked to the continuing uncertainty surrounding the country’s electoral process.  The Secretary-General calls for the strict respect for the fundamental freedoms and rights enshrined in the Constitution.  He urges all parties to exercise restraint and express their views peacefully, including in the context of demonstrations scheduled to take place on 26 May.

He calls on all Congolese political stakeholders to place the interests of their country above their own by engaging constructively in a meaningful political dialogue aimed at peacefully resolving their differences.  He urges them to extend their full cooperation to the African Union Facilitator for the National Dialogue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Edem Kodjo, and reiterates the full support of the United Nations for his efforts.