Ethiopia: deputy PM confirms elections for next December in DR Congo

Addis Ababa, ANGOLA, July 14 - Organizing the elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo is an irreversible process and the scrutiny should happen on 23 December 2018, as scheduled, confirmed Thursday at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Abeba, the Deputy Prime Minister and Congolese Foreign Minister Leonard Okitundu.,

Speaking at an open session on the 786th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council, of which Angola is a member, Leonard Okitundu called for a dissipation of pessimism around the DRC elections, saying that it is up to the AU to monitor this complex and important process for peace and stability in the Great Lakes Region.

As evidence of the commitment and determination to hold transparent and fair elections, among other measures, are the publication of the Electoral Calendar, the promulgation of the Electoral Law in accordance with the Constitution, and the registration process of 40 million voters.

He added that the DRC appreciates the value and constructive follow-up of partners such as Monusco, AU, SADC, CIRGL and others which o respect the country's sovereignty.

Concerning security, the official said that the country faces attacks from armed terrorist groups and criminals, a situation of residual violence, which causes victims and displacement of the population.

Regarding the situation of the refugees, he said that in order to facilitate the return of those from Angola, he visited the camp  which accommodates them and, with the Angolan authorities, tried to convey confidence and ask for their return.

Also on the DRC, UN Secretary-General António Guterrez said in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, that with the upcoming elections, good prospects for a solution to the crisis in the Democratic Congo are opening up.

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