As members of the Europe-Central Africa (EurAc) network, we would like to stress the critical importance for each government to create – and strengthen - the conditions conducive to the defense of human rights, characterized by the free exercise of the right to freedom of expression.
Now that the technical process for the selection of a candidate and approval of a mandate for the post of Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region have been completed in accordance with the relevant Council procedure, civil society organisations working on the Great Lakes region in Africa, believe that no obstacle should delay his/her appointment.
While the European Union (EU) and its Member States state in their renewed strategy for the Great Lakes that "the security, stability and prosperity of the countries of the Great Lakes region remain a strategic priority for the EU", 17 European civil society organisations and platforms, including EurAc, are expressing their deep concern at the escalation of violence and the worsening humanitarian situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They also question the inconsistent response of the EU and its Member States in the region.
As the Europe-Central Africa network (EurAc), we represent international solidarity organisations based in various European countries, working in direct partnership with Congolese civil society organisations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). With this declaration, we wish to raise political leaders' awareness of the security situation in the east of the DRC and propose constructive recommendations for European decision-makers.
By encouraging the Congolese authorities and the CENI to implement these last priorities before polling day, we hope that the European Union and its Member States, in coordination with all Congolese and international players, will strengthen the commitment and support for peaceful, transparent and credible elections.
The European Network for Central Africa (EurAc) and its members condemn the brutal methods used by the Congolese National Police (PNC) to disperse the demonstration held on 20 May 2023 in Kinshasa. The European Union (EU) and its Member States must do everything possible to guarantee respect for the fundamental freedoms of the Congolese people throughout the country, and to contribute to the establishment of a climate conducive to the holding of free, transparent, credible, and peaceful elections in 2023.
As part of his diplomatic visits to the African continent, President Emmanuel Macron will visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on 5 March, after visiting Gabon, Angola and Congo-Brazzaville. 31 civil society organisations are encouraging France to place the defence of human rights and respect for democracy at the heart of its foreign policy.
While the European Union (EU) and its Member States state in their renewed strategy for the Great Lakes that "the security, stability and prosperity of the countries of the Great Lakes region remain a strategic priority for the EU", 17 European civil society organisations and platforms, including EurAc, are expressing their deep concern at the escalation of violence and the worsening humanitarian situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They also question the inconsistent response of the EU and its Member States in the region.
As the Europe-Central Africa network (EurAc), we represent international solidarity organisations based in various European countries, working in direct partnership with Congolese civil society organisations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). With this declaration, we wish to raise political leaders' awareness of the security situation in the east of the DRC and propose constructive recommendations for European decision-makers.
By encouraging the Congolese authorities and the CENI to implement these last priorities before polling day, we hope that the European Union and its Member States, in coordination with all Congolese and international players, will strengthen the commitment and support for peaceful, transparent and credible elections.