The US government, through its embassy in Kinshasa, expressed its opinion on the recent protests in the country and on the political dialogue which started on 23 August 2016.
The diplomatic mission indicated that the US government continues to monitor the situation in the DRC and underscored “the importance to the democratic process of open political space and respect for human rights, while calling upon all Congolese stakeholders to exercise their rights peacefully and without provocation”.
Reiterating Washington’s views on presidential term-limitation, the embassy stressed “President Kabila still has an historic opportunity to preside over the DRC’s first democratic transfer of executive power. We remain concerned, however, that the window to reach consensus on an electoral timeline and plan for transition is narrowing”. The US government added that “holding credible elections and a peaceful transfer of power is critical to improving stability and economic development in the DRC”.
The United States hailed the launching on 23 August 2016 of the country’s national political dialogue under the auspices of the African Union, describing it as “an important first step toward reaching consensus on a credible timeline for elections and a democratic transition of power”.
To ensure inclusiveness to the process, the US government “urge the government of the DRC, opposition leaders, and members of civil society to work together to advance the dialogue process”.
The European Union (EU) also echoed similar views in a communiqué issued on 24 August 2016 calling “all stakeholders to participate in the dialogue and abstain from any action that could foster tension”. The EU also called upon the Congolese government to “guarantee an open political space and take additional measures to ease tension, including the release of other political and opinion detainees as announced on 19 August 2016”.