Following their communiqués of the 1 and 16 December denouncing the high number of irregularities observed during the recent elections and the process for tallying results, AETA and EurAc are concerned by the acts of violence that took place in many voting stations during the elections. The public became the main victim of these acts of violence, which prevented them from voting peacefully.
During the days following the elections and period immediately after the publication of results for the presidential vote, we witnessed the escalation of violence in Kinshasa and in other provinces. National and international media reported six fatalities in the violence in Kinshasa and highlighted the increase in attacks on civilians by the security forces. However reliable sources indicate there were many wounded and more than 32 dead, their bodies immediately removed by the police. Beyond these cases, there was an increase in insecurity with reports of extortion, kidnap, killings and arbitrary arrests. Various sources indicate the prolonged detention of individuals in many jails across the country.
The opposition has continued to reject the results published by CENI and accepted by the Supreme Court of Justice, and has called for popular mobilisation. In the current context, and given the numerous irregularities observed during the electoral process, AETA and EurAc are concerned about the persistent insecurity by which Congolese people have effectively been taken hostage. The two organizations’ main concern at this stage is for peace, and to avoid the country falling into a new cycle of violence that would be impossible to manage.
The mobile text messaging service was suspended by the Congolese authorities on 3 December. This has hampered the efforts of electoral observation missions to gather information related to the results tallying process. More generally this is hindering communication and information-sharing by the public, thereby limiting the security and well-being of civilians during this tense period.
AETA and EurAc also deplore the suspension of pro-opposition radio and TV stations, such as RTL, and the suppression of opposition marches in Bukavu and Goma. We would like to emphasise that peaceful mobilization and the expression of demands by citizens are integral to the functioning of democracy.
In the current context, with the massive deployment of security forces, and in light of the abuses committed by security forces, Congolese people are faced with high levels of insecurity. It is the responsibility of the state to ensure that people can live without the fear, terror and psychosis that have dominated their lives in recent days. The state is responsible for embodying the values of peace and non-violence, necessary for the consolidation of democracy.
AETA and EurAc are concerned for the continuation of an electoral process that has not guaranteed access to the vote, or security, for the entire electorate – an electoral process that has been deficient in many respects. It is vital that the credibility of the democratic process in general, and the electoral process in particular, gets back on track and that all political actors engage in calming tensions, to ensure a peaceful environment.
On the basis of what is stated above and in light of the CENI’s publication of the provisional results, AETA and EurAc recommend:
1. To the Government of DRC
Ensure that security measures do not result in destruction, or lead to further civilian casualties or fatalities. It is crucial that the police, already deployed in large numbers in the country’s urban centres, and potentially the army, avoid at all costs the use of repressive methods against civilians in their efforts to re-establish order. They must stop using live ammunition, to avoid any repetition of criminal killings of civilians in Kinshasa on 26 November and 9 and 10 December.
Ensure the respect of Congolese citizens’ rights, in particular the right to peaceful demonstration, and guarantee peace during this sensitive period.
Immediately re-establish the mobile text messaging service throughout the country.
2. To political parties
Commit to restoration of a non-violent and peaceful climate and to appeal through the law and relevant institutions to settle litigation processes.
Mobilise, sensitise and calm their supporters and encourage them to refrain from using violent methods in contesting the results of the presidential vote.
3. To the European Union and its member states active in DRC
Closely monitor the situation and condemn abuses by the Congolese security forces. This is particularly important given the EU and some member states’ engagement as security sector reform partners in the DRC.
Support the speedy creation of an efficient international mechanism for dialogue and mediation between the political actors, to reach a political solution for the results dispute and the management of the remaining process. This mechanism should allow contestation to be expressed in a non-violent manner, and through dialogue.
To use the experience gained through the presidential and legislative elections and continue accompanying the DRC in its efforts to consolidate democracy. This means including logistical and technical support to CENI in future programme priorities, as well as, crucially, support to civic and electoral education work by civil society organisations. These efforts should be recognised as essential means to ensure the effectiveness of the remaining electoral process. Setting up an intensive national civic and electoral education programme in the DRC is now more urgent than ever. As donors, the EU and member states should coordinate funding of civic and election education programmes, as well as observation activities for the rest of the electoral cycle.
To further commit to strengthening the judiciary so as to promote an open and fair electoral litigation process.
4. To Congolese people
To contribute to safeguarding peace by adopting non-violent behaviour and denouncing human rights violations during this period.
For EurAc For AETA
Donatella ROSTAGNO Jérôme BONSO
For more information:
EurAc AETA
Donatella Rostagno Jérôme Bonso
Coordinator of the electoral observation mission Permanent Secretary
Tél : +32 496 074905 Tél : +243 999923152
donatella.rostagno@eurac-network.org jbonso_linelit@yahoo.fr