In this memorandum EurAc presents an analysis of the regional challenges and specific challenges for each of the three countries (DRC, Burundi & Rwanda), which the EU must take into consideration in order to effectively and sustainably support peace and democracy in Central Africa. This analysis is supplemented by recommendations addressed to the various competent European political decision-makers.
After days of political turmoil in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the European Union (EU) must take stronger and more concrete action by stopping its financial support for the police sector, the European network for Central Africa (EurAc) and World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) declared today.
Urgent Action Needed to Deter Large-Scale Violence, Repression
In order to prevent a dangerous increase of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after two days of political turmoil in Kinshasa, the European Union (EU) must take stronger and more concrete action by applying targeted sanctions - including visa bans and assets freezes - against senior Congolese officials and security force officers most responsible for the violent repression and human rights violations in this pre-electoral context.
The European network for Central Africa (EurAc) urges EU Foreign Affairs ministers to act to prevent further escalation of violence and abuse in the pre-electoral context in the DRC
FR - Le Réseau européen pour l’Afrique centrale (EurAc) et ses membres condamnent l’inquiétante escalade des violences ces derniers jours au Burundi et tiennent à exprimer leur solidarité aux organisations de la société civile burundaise.
With this new position statement, the European network for Central Africa (EurAc) wishes to draw the attention of European political decision-makers, at all levels of power, to the gravity and the risks of the situation in the DRC. The next step is to provide them with action plans, on the one hand for the adoption of strong and urgent measures to prevent this crisis leading to a serious escalation of violence and a regional security crisis, and on the other to support the electoral process in such a way as to bring the country out of the current stalemate. These action plans stem from an assessment of the current political situation and the security risks in the DRC, and the responses that the EU and its Member States have provided so far and those that they should strengthen in order to prevent a further escalation of violence and new abuses in the DRC.
With this new position statement, the European network for Central Africa (EurAc) wishes to draw the attention of European political decision-makers, at all levels of power, to the gravity and the risks of the situation in the DRC.