Nairobi, Kenya: A team of International Envoys for the Great Lakes region have expressed deep concern about recent violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) that has led to death of several citizens and disruption of operations in the country.
While expressing their deepest condolences to the families of the victims, the envoys called on the Government to exercise restraint, to maintain open political space and allow for peaceful expression of opinion.
Violence erupted in the DRC following move by President Joseph Kabila’s government to amend the electoral law to allow him extend his rule beyond 2016; a decision that has angered many, sparking protests in the country. Several people have been killed in the protests that have lasted days.
Reports indicate that police officers have fired live ammunition to protesters, claims that the government has since refuted.
The bill requires a pre-election census.
According to the BBC, the opposition say the census is a ploy for him to hang on to power as it will take about three years for it to be conducted in DR Congo, which is two-thirds of the size of western Europe, has very little infrastructure and is hit by instability in the east.
Kabila first took power in 2001 following the assassination of his father Laurent, who was president at the time, and is constitutionally barred from running for another term.
DR Congo has never had a reliable census since independence from Belgium in 1960.
The Envoys condemned any use of force against peaceful, unarmed demonstrators and arbitrary arrests, noting that all citizens have a responsibility to pursue political objectives by non-violent means in conformity with relevant national laws.
They also expressed concern over reports that the DRC government restricted internet sites and ordered text messaging services, and radio stations to be shut down, at an age where the world is working towards easy information availability to all.
They emphasized that freedom of communication and expression are essential rights in a democracy and should not be curtailed.
The Envoys appealed to the DRC Government to address the underlying causes of the unrest by ensuring that all electoral laws respect relevant provisions of the Constitution. They reiterated their support for a credible, timely, inclusive, and peaceful electoral process and encourage the government to finalise an electoral calendar that includes national elections within the timeframe provided by the Constitution.
The Team of International Envoys, are comprised of UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Said Djinnit, UN Special Representative and Head of MONUSCO Martin Kobler, AU Special Representative for the Great Lakes Boubacar Diarra, EU Senior Coordinator for the Great Lakes Koen Vervaeke, US Special Envoy for the Great Lakes and the DRC Russell D. Feingold and Belgium Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Frank de Coninck.
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