African Union issues call to uphold rights in DR Congo poll

KINSHASA: The African Union on Monday called for the ‘rights and freedoms of all Congolese’ to be upheld, amid mounting tensions over the country’s presidential race.

The influential Catholic church and the European Union also sought to persuade the DR Congo regime to ensure fair elections.

Candidates must submit their applications to run in DR Congo’s long- delayed election, due on Dec 23, by Wednesday evening.

“At this crucial stage of the electoral process, the Chairperson of the Commission ( Moussa Faki Mahamat) reiterates the need for all stakeholders... to ensure peaceful, transparent and truly inclusive elections are held,” the AU said in a statement.

“(Mahamat) calls on all political actors to act responsibly and in the best interests of their country, which must prevail over all other considerations.”

It was ‘crucial’ that the rights and freedoms of all Congolese voters be respected and a ‘ level electoral playing field’ be ensured, it added.

The statement was issued after opposition leader Moise Katumbi was blocked from returning home last week to file his bid.

Katumbi , 5 3 , a wea l thy businessman and former governor of the province of Katanga, was barred from entering the DRC and charged with offences against state security, officials said.

He has been living in sel fimposed exile in Belgium since May 2016 after falling out with President Joseph Kabila.

Police in Katumbi’s stronghold of Lubumbashi, in the southeast of the country, fired into the air on Monday to disperse supporters calling for him to be allowed to return.

The European Union issued a statement supporting the AU’s call.

Measures should be taken “to ensure a fair and credible electoral compet it ion. The European Union will continue to monitor the situation carefully and in close consultation with its partners, primarily the African Union and the United Nations,” an EU spokesperson said in a statement.

The UN peacekeeping mission to the DRC ( Monusco) has retained its silence on the matter.

The Catholic Church on Monday urged authorities in Kinshasa to allow Katumbi into the country in time to register as a candidate.

“Such segregational treatment is not justified and can lead to unnecessary consequences that must be avoided,” the Congolese Episcopal Conference (Cenco) said in a statement.

“Such a refusal in many ways resembles a denial of identity, which no human society can tolerate.” — AFP