The United Nations human rights chief has called on the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government to halt electoral violence and inflammatory speech ahead of the country’s long-delayed presidential election slated for December 23.
“I am deeply worried about the reports of excessive use of force, including live ammunition, by security forces against opposition rallies,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said.
“In an already tense electoral environment, I urge the government to send a clear signal that threats and violence against political opponents will not be tolerated.”
Bachelet’s remarks come following an arson incident in the DR Congo capital, in which electoral material, including recently acquired electronic voting machines, were burnt down earlier this week.
The DR Congo’s presidential vote was initially scheduled for November 2016, but the electoral authority said it was not able to hold the vote then due to logistical challenges. This sparked accusations from opposition leaders that President Joseph Kabila was frustrating the electoral process in order to cling on to power, allegations he denied.
The DR Congo’s December vote, if successful, will lead to the country first ever peaceful transfer of power since independence in 1960.
