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US Wants DRC to Take 'Concrete Steps' Toward Elections

by Nick Long October 24, 2015

A senior U.S. diplomat wrapping up a weeklong visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo urged the government Saturday to take concrete steps to prepare for future elections and to cooperate fully with the U.N. mission working to resolve conflicts in the DRC.

Sarah Sewall, the U.S. undersecretary of state for civilian security, democracy and human rights, also warned of consequences for those who violate constitutional processes.

Speaking to reporters in Goma, Sewall said authorities in the DRC need to prepare for elections by drafting specific plans to register voters and to assure security in the country, which has been the scene of many violent clashes in recent years. She also said the government should open a dialogue to settle electoral issues, develop and communicate those plans to the public and agree on a timetable for moving forward.

"We believe that there is a need for a neutral forum to make progress, with the principle of upholding the constitution and anticipating the peaceful transition of power," Sewall said.

Opposition parties have rejected previous government offers of dialogue, because they say it would be dedicated to reaching a deal allowing President Joseph Kabila to extend his rule beyond his constitutional two-term limit. The opposition instead has called for an internationally mediated dialogue focused on electoral issues.

The U.S. has committed $25 million to help support elections in the DRC, Sewall said.

'The U.S. has been fully committed to moving the electoral process forward, which is why it is so frustrating to see constant delays on the part of the institutions which should be registering voters,' she said. 'I think the lack of action toward preparation of elections is a conscious choice, which is why we have urged the government to take concrete steps that would be required for elections immediately.'

Will of the people

Referring to attempts to override presidential term limits, Sewall said recent events in Burundi and Congo-Brazzaville show "how destabilizing the rejection of the people's will can be." She suggested the U.S. could soon follow the European Union in imposing travel bans on those instigating violence in Burundi.

'These are the kinds of tools that can help convince those who would violate constitutional processes that there will be consequences for their actions,' she said.

On security, Sewall urged the resumption of joint operations by the government and the U.N. mission, known by the acronym MONUSCO, against armed groups in eastern Congo. That choice, she said, is up to the government.

'The core issue with regard to the continued operation of the armed groups is the political position of the government about whether or not it will conduct joint operations with MONUSCO,' she said.

Sewall also said she raised the issue of the continued detention of democracy activists during her talks, and she urged the government to "stop confusing peaceful expression of opinion with criminal activity."