The United States Government on Friday
expressed concern over the Congolese government’s arrests and intimidation
of Congolese citizens participating in elections in Kinshasa and Haut
Katanga Province of the Congo.
The U.S. Department of State said in statement that it should be the
responsibility of the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC), to respect the rights of its citizens.
“The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is experiencing a
historic year that should, according to that country’s constitution,
culminate in the DRC’s first democratic transfer of executive power.
“The United States supports the Congolese people in their pursuit of
timely, free, and fair elections and underscores the importance of
open political space to a credible electoral process.
“But, we are deeply concerned by the government’s arrest and
intimidation of Congolese citizens participating in and preparing for
peaceful political activity in Kinshasa and Haut Katanga,’’ it said.
The statement said that it should be the responsibility of the DRC
government to respect its citizens’ human rights, including the rights
to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
It also noted that “repression’’ was a threat to the trust and confidence
of citizens, who were needed for any credible dialogue amongst all
Congolese stakeholders.
According to it, the U.S. notes that a peaceful and credible electoral
cycle, in accordance with the constitution, is critical to the DRC’s
long-term stabilisation and consolidation of democracy.
“As Secretary Kerry told President Kabila recently, we stand ready to
support those committed to such elections.
“The United States strongly believes that the Congolese people, free
of fear, should shape the future of the Congo,’’ the statement added.
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