U.S. official sues for DR Congo elections in 2018

28 Octobre 2017

Kinshasa, DR Congo, October  28 (Infosplusgabon) - Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on a three-day visit to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) to organize elections in 2018 and in order to put an end to a deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country.

"If the elections are not organized in 2018, the DRC will no longer be able to count on the support of the international community and the United States," Ms. Haley warned Friday after meeting with officials of the elections administration.

According to her, it is the absence of elections which is the basis of rape of women, recruitment of children into armed groups, and undesired pregnancies in DR Congo.

Ms. Haley has called on all stakeholders, including political parties, bishops and civil society, to actively engage in the success of the electoral process.

She emphasized that the electoral calendar that will be released, must take into account the opinions of all stakeholders and schedule the elections in 2018. "The President of the Republic must make it clear that the elections will be held in 2018," she said.

According to Father Jean-Marie Bomengola, the bishops underlined their wish for the application of the New Year's Eve Agreement in its entirety, while representatives of opposition parties handed her a memorandum.

Ms. Haley arrived in Kinshasa on Wednesday accompanied by a delegation of about 30 people.

On Thursday she flew to Goma, capital of North Kivu province, and had discussion with officials of the U.N. Stabilization Mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO) at Kitchanga, about 80 km northwest of Goma, a priority area of the stabilization programme.

DR Congo, with a population of almost 80 million, is struggling with violence and unrest. The U.N. peacekeeping mission there totals more than 15,000 military personnel.

According to the United Nations, a deteriorating humanitarian situation has left more than 8 million people — including 5.5 million children — in need of assistance. Almost 4 million people have fled their homes.

Haley was due to meet with President Joseph Kabila on Friday and press him for an elections timetable. Kabila refused to step down in December at the conclusion of his second mandate. He is constitutionally barred from another term but says he will remain in power until elections, already delayed by the ruling party, are held.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/AML/GABON 2017

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