U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Thursday visited the Democratic Republic of Congo to press for credible elections, just a day after she was evacuated from a U.N. camp in South Sudan amid a turbulent demonstration against that country’s leadership.
Haley is wrapping up a three-nation tour of Africa that began in Ethiopia.
During her stay in Ethiopia, she visited Gambella, where more than 300,000 South Sudanese people have sought refuge from their country’s conflict.
In South Sudan, Haley visited a camp for more than 30,000 people displaced by the war that has killed thousands of people and driven more than 2 million from their homes.
Haley did not hesitate to express her country’s disappointment with President Salva Kiir’s administration.
“We are disappointed by what we are seeing. This is not what we thought we were investing in,” Haley said. “What we thought we were investing in was a free, fair society where people could be safe and South Sudan is the opposite of that.”
Now in the DRC, Haley is seeking talks with government officials, as a way to push for free and fair elections.
The country failed to hold the vote in November 2016 as was scheduled, with the electoral body saying it was unable to conduct the vote due to logistical challenges.
Opposition leaders however accused President Kabila of frustrating the electoral process in order to cling on to power.
Kabila’s term ended in November, as would have been barred from running for another mandate.
His failure to step down prompted violence in some parts of the country, which has killed hundreds and displaced thousands others.
