The members of the United Nations Security Council have taken note of the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) to postpone the presidential, legislative and provincial elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) until December 30.
These Congolese general elections, initially scheduled for Sunday December 23, have been postponed by CENI to Sunday December 30.
In a press release, CENI justified the postponement by the "exceptional circumstances constituting force majeure" caused by the fire on December 13 of one of its warehouses in Kinshasa, where electoral material destined for polling stations and counting stations in several of the capital's communes was stored.
In a press statement issued on Saturday night, the members of the Security Council expressed their "hope that this extension will make it possible to create conditions conducive to Congolese voters being able to express themselves freely on December 30". They called for "continued dialogue and transparency with all political actors" during this period to maintain mutual confidence until the elections are held.
The 15-member Council also called on all Congolese players to engage "peacefully and constructively" in the electoral process in order to "guarantee transparent, credible and peaceful elections" in the DRC, leading to a transfer of power in line with the Congolese Constitution and the December 31, 2016 Agreement.
Expressing their support for CENI's efforts "to ensure that all logistical preparations for the elections are completed by election day", the Council members reiterated the readiness of MONUSCO - the UN mission in the DRC - to provide support "if requested".
In its statement, the Security Council reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the DRC. Its 15 members also expressed their condolences to the families of the victims, including Russian pilots, of the crash of a plane chartered by the CENI during electoral preparations.