PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
AU Peace, Security Council tasks DRC politicians on elections
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - The African Union Peace and Security Council on Friday called on stakeholders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to fully participate in the upcoming elections, "demonstrate a sense of responsibility in both words and acts and to create a climate conducive for the holding of free, democratic and peaceful elections."
The council, in a communiqué issued after a meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, said that during its 298th meeting, held 17 November, members were briefed by the Commissioner for Peace and Security on the visits that the Panel of the Wise and Chairperson of the Commission undertook to the DRC over the presidential and legislative elections of 28 November.
The statement said the council was also briefed by the representative of the DRC.
"Council underlined the importance of the second post-conflict elections in the DRC, whose smooth conduct will facilitate the consolidation of peace and strengthening of the democratic process," the communique stressed.
It pointed out that the council commended the initiative of the Panel of the Wise and the Chairperson of the Commission and "endorsed the messages" that were delivered to all the Congolese actors on the occasion, as reflected in the communiques issued 9 November, 2011, at the end of the visit of the Chairperson of the Commission.
"In this context, council urged all the stakeholders to fully engage themselves in the process, demonstrate a sense of responsibility in both words and acts and to create a climate conducive for the holding of free, democratic and peaceful elections," the communique said, adding that the council insisted on the imperative of the respect of constitutional framework and the institutions of the country.
According to the communique, the council has, meanwhile, requested the chairperson of the commission to continue to "closely follow the evolution of the situation and to take any initiative that he will deem necessary to support the electoral process and facilitate its good conduct."
It said the council has "commended the steps being taken for the deployment of an electoral observation mission, as well as the provision of a symbolic financial assistance for the electoral process by the commission."
-0- PANA MO/BOS 18Nov2011
The council, in a communiqué issued after a meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, said that during its 298th meeting, held 17 November, members were briefed by the Commissioner for Peace and Security on the visits that the Panel of the Wise and Chairperson of the Commission undertook to the DRC over the presidential and legislative elections of 28 November.
The statement said the council was also briefed by the representative of the DRC.
"Council underlined the importance of the second post-conflict elections in the DRC, whose smooth conduct will facilitate the consolidation of peace and strengthening of the democratic process," the communique stressed.
It pointed out that the council commended the initiative of the Panel of the Wise and the Chairperson of the Commission and "endorsed the messages" that were delivered to all the Congolese actors on the occasion, as reflected in the communiques issued 9 November, 2011, at the end of the visit of the Chairperson of the Commission.
"In this context, council urged all the stakeholders to fully engage themselves in the process, demonstrate a sense of responsibility in both words and acts and to create a climate conducive for the holding of free, democratic and peaceful elections," the communique said, adding that the council insisted on the imperative of the respect of constitutional framework and the institutions of the country.
According to the communique, the council has, meanwhile, requested the chairperson of the commission to continue to "closely follow the evolution of the situation and to take any initiative that he will deem necessary to support the electoral process and facilitate its good conduct."
It said the council has "commended the steps being taken for the deployment of an electoral observation mission, as well as the provision of a symbolic financial assistance for the electoral process by the commission."
-0- PANA MO/BOS 18Nov2011
