Date: 14 June 2019
Subject: Joint declaration of the Chiefs of Mission of the United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Canada
We are deeply concerned by the increase in political tension in the Democratic Republic of Congo created by the decisions of the Constitutional Court to invalidate the elections of over 30 parliamentarians, most of whom are opposition members. We call on all political parties to take responsibility to resolve the many challenges facing the country.
The recent decisions of the Constitutional Court taken outside of the prescribed legal timelines undermine a peaceful political climate and put at risk the opportunity after the presidential and legislative elections to produce the change for which the Congolese people voted.
We deeply regret the uncertainty and distrust created by these decisions and recall our commitment to consolidate and support democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the fight against corruption, alongside actors for change.
We condemn the recent confrontations and call on the country’s political actors to exercise restraint and reject violence.
