Brussels, 26/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Sunday 25 January, the European Union hailed the consensus found between the Congolese national assembly and senate on the new electoral law that enables appeasement in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after last week's deadly violence between young protesters and police (see EUROPE 11237 and 11235).
“The involvement of all the political actors has enabled a solution to be found regarding the electoral law that has just been approved. The commitment of all the parties to work in the interest of the country and to avoid a serious political crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo must be welcomed”, said High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini in a press release on Sunday.
“The way is now paved for the elections to be held according to the time periods provided for by the constitution. We also expect the national independent electoral commission to publish an overall electoral timetable”, Mogherini adds. The EU gives assurances that it “will continue its in-depth dialogue with the Congolese authorities on this issue and will continue to support the mediator role of the United Nations and African Union” (our translation throughout).
The new electoral law removes the provision that would have enabled the presidential election of 2016 to be postponed, and which set off the protests of the young people who oppose the DRC's President Joseph Kabila. Kabila is suspected of wanting to stand for election. (AN)