Through a press briefing held on Tuesday, June 20, the G7 gave its position on the current political situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The president of this grouping of opposition political parties, members of the Rally of Forces for Change, Pierre Lumbi, said in his speech of the occasion that the ruling Majority is « determined » to hinder the holding of elections through, among other things, the signature on 27 April of an « unfinished and denatured » special arrangement in the absence of the Rally and the CENCO.
According to him, this should not discourage the opposition forces to put themselves in order of battle for the future electoral deadlines.
« The G7 considers that, while seeking the full implementation of the 31 December 2016 Agreement, the Rally of Political and Social Forces for Change should set the stage for the elections ».
Elections under certain conditions
The political grouping supporting Moise Katumbi’s presidential candidacy states half the face that it pleads for the elections but « not under any conditions », considering that there can be credible and truly democratic elections only in the conditions and guarantees provided for in the Agreement of December 31, 2016.
It requires, among other things, the application of all measures for easing political tensions (including the unconditional return of Moïse Katumbi), the closing of voter enrollment operations on July 31, 2017, the publication of the electoral calendar by the CENI before July 31, 2017, the revitalization of the CENI in order to strengthen its independence and impartiality, and the wider deployment of Monusco troops across the country to secure electoral operations and candidates alongside the National Police.
Popular Mobilization
« The G7 will not accept a third dialogue because there is nothing left to negotiate. Exceeding the date of 31 July 2017, without, on the one hand, the CENI closing the identification and enlistment operations and publishing the electoral calendar and, on the other hand, without the Government having implemented the political tensions easing measures, the G7 will launch, along with all political and social organizations, actions of popular mobilization and civic disobedience, in accordance with Article 64 of the Constitution, » warns the G7.