Security Council Press Statement on Democratic Republic of Congo

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Karen Pierce (United Kingdom):

The members of the Security Council welcomed the steps taken recently in the electoral process in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the registration of the candidates for the presidential and legislative elections.  They welcomed President Joseph Kabila's respect for his commitment to abide by the Congolese Constitution and the provisions of the 31 December 2016 political agreement (the Agreement).

The members of the Security Council underlined the importance of the entire Congolese political class and the institutions responsible for organizing elections remaining committed to ensure the success of the rest of the electoral process, leading to a peaceful transfer of power, in accordance with the Congolese Constitution and the Agreement.  They encouraged all Congolese stakeholders to create all necessary conditions to ensure an environment conducive to the peaceful and inclusive conduct of political activities, to ensure that the elections take place with the requisite conditions of transparency, credibility and inclusivity, including the full and effective participation of women at all stages, and are conducted in accordance with the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s international obligations.  They reiterated that effective, swift and sincere implementation of the Agreement, including the Agreement’s confidence-building measures as well as respect for fundamental rights and the electoral timeline are essential for peaceful and credible elections on 23 December, a democratic transition of power, and the peace and stability of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Finally, the members of the Security Council encouraged the Congolese Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that any request to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) for logistical and technical support is made on time, in order to enable MONUSCO to provide this support.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, and their commitment to work in close coordination with the African Union, the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, the Southern African Development Community, and other key regional actors to ensure full implementation of the Agreement and the successful conclusion of the electoral process.