Congo: the belated warning from the EU

(BRUSSELS2) Europe will “ reassess its support for the next steps in the Congolese democratic process ". This is the meaning of the press release that the High Representative has just issued on behalf of the European Union after the publication (on 16 December) by the Supreme Court of Justice of the final results of the presidential elections in DR Congo. A statement a little late since it is today that the president recognized winner of the elections Joseph Kabila was invested in his functions; a ceremony shunned by the main European countries who were represented only by their ambassador and which took place under high protection from the police and the army, as reported Okapi Radio.

serious concerns

EU "reiterates (indeed) its concern about the serious deficiencies and the lack of transparency in the compilation and publication of the results ", reported among others by the EU Election Observation Mission, and which " affects trust in the electoral process”.

EU recommendations

Lessons must be drawn without delay "so that the compilation of the results for the legislative elections" is made under conditions guaranteeing transparency and credibility ". The EU thus "resolutely" encourages the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) and the Congolese authorities to 1) take into account the concerns of the observation missions, 2) implement their recommendations and 3) be open to the cooperation with the opposition.

The need for justice

The EU also asks that " light is shed on the alleged human rights violations reported in the electoral context " and, " if necessary, that those responsible be brought to righteousness”. She reiterates the first responsibility of the Congolese authorities to ensure the safety of citizens ».

Stopping violence

She asks " all » the political forces of “keep the peace. Any act of violence must be prohibited at the same time as the legitimate right to express oneself must be preserved. » A position that can also be heard as a message to power but also to the opposition, not useless while the officially beaten opponent, Etienne Tshisekedi refuses the sentence of the electoral commission. He called on the army to obey him and arrest Joseph Kabila. Demonstrations are still taking place in Kinshasa. And in Brussels, the "Congolese" district of Matongue (in Ixelles), a stone's throw from the European Parliament, has been the scene for several days of demonstrations at the call of supporters of the opponent Tshisekedi which quite regularly degenerate into scuffles with the police (*).

Comment: one wonders how the Europeans will react if the situation gets out of hand in an Ivorian situation. It would undoubtedly be necessary to carry out a "careful planning" of possible means of more robust intervention both in terms of diplomacy and electoral assistance, even of an economic nature (sanctions), or military, if the situation required it. We cannot claim the "strategic surprise" for the Congo as was the case for the "Arab Spring". And it would not be "normal" for the EU not to be duly prepared for it. The hesitations and dodges that we experienced during the Libyan crisis should no longer be appropriate.