United States Congress (Washington, DC)
15 December 2011
press release
Washington, DC — The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has called on the country’s electoral authorities to review the issues raised by independent observers about the recent DRC presidential and parliamentary polls, saying there were “significant irregularities” in the results process. There also are reports of post- election violence and casualties.
Congressman Christopher Smith, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights, joined Congressman Donald M. Payne, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee in releasing the following statement:
We are troubled by the reports of serious irregularities in the recent elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In March, our Subcommittee held a hearing on the situation and events in DRC, including the elections, and witnesses warned of a potential electoral crisis. We subsequently renewed our call for the U.S. to reappoint a Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region to help address various security issues and ensure free, fair, and transparent elections. Last week, the Obama Administration announced a Special Advisor to the Great Lakes Region and the DRC. While this is a step in the right direction, the crisis has escalated and now requires intense international political engagement.
We call on the Obama Administration and our international partners to work with an inclusive group of Congolese stakeholders to conduct an independent review of reported electoral irregularities, ensure a credible and transparent count of both the legislative and presidential election ballots and help mediate the crisis to avoid further political unrest. The mediation process should focus on ensuring that the democratic aspirations of the Congolese people are upheld in an open and transparent manner and avoiding further unrest, violence and loss of life.
It is important that the mediation process is free, fair, transparent and inclusive. With the help of international and regional actors, and the commitment of the political stakeholders, we can resolve this crisis and pursue a more open and efficient electoral process in the DRC.
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