Security Council Press statement on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the

Congo
The members of the Security Council stressed the crucial importance of a peaceful and
credible electoral cycle, in accordance with the Constitution, for stability, development, and
consolidation of constitutional democracy in the DRC.
Recalling UNSC resolution 2277, they underscored the urgency in convening an open,
inclusive and peaceful political dialogue among all stakeholders focused on the holding of
elections, while ensuring the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, paving
the way for and ensuring an environment conducive to free, fair, peaceful, credible, inclusive,
transparent and timely elections in the DRC, in accordance with the Constitution, while
respecting the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
The members of the Security Council expressed support for the decision taken by the African
Union to undertake consultations on this dialogue and the appointment on 6 April 2016 of
Edem Kodjo, former Prime Minister of Togo, as Facilitator for the dialogue. They welcomed
the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the DRC, Maman
Sidikou, including through his good offices mandate, and the Special Envoy of the SecretaryGeneral for the Great Lakes region, Said Djinnit, to facilitate this dialogue among political
stakeholders. They took note of the communique issued on 4 July 2016 following the
inaugural meeting of the support group for the facilitation of the national dialogue in the
DRC and urged all national stakeholders to extend full cooperation to the international
facilitation appointed by the African Union, and encouraged all stakeholders to participate in
the dialogue.
They expressed their deep concern at increased restrictions of the political space in the DRC,
in particular recent arrests and detention of members of the political opposition and of civil
society, as well as restrictions of fundamental freedoms such as the freedom of opinion and
expression, and ongoing delays in electoral preparations. They urged the Government of the
DRC as well as all relevant parties to respect human rights and to refrain from violence and
provocation.
They acknowledged the ongoing efforts by the Congolese authorities and especially by the
National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), with the support of various partners to
revise the voters register, and they emphasized the need for the Congolese authorities to take
all necessary steps to proceed without delay, and called on international partners to provide
the necessary support.The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support to
MONUSCO and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC.
15 July 2016