The United States said it is ready to assist the Democratic Republic of Congo’s government to hold accountable individuals who are responsible for serious human rights abuses or significant acts of corruption.
The statement was made by the State Department’s Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour Scott Busby, who was on a tour of the DR Congo to promote democracy and human rights.
The US noted that some of the accused individuals are still in positions of influence and power in the country.
“The issue of accountability is important around the world but it’s especially important here in Congo because of DRC’s history of impunity,” Busby said.
In February, the US State Department had imposed travel restrictions on five top DR Congo officials accusing them of corruption during the presidential elections.
One of the officials, Corneille Nangaa, president of Congo’s National Independent Electoral Commission, denied the allegations.
Busby also urged the government to develop a comprehensive approach to dealing with allegations of human rights abuses committed by armed groups.
Busby praised President Felix Tshisekedi for his efforts to increase the respect for human rights, open political space, and strengthen the rule of law since his election in December.
The DR Congo, with its vast economic resources, has the potential to become one of the richest countries on the continent, according to the World Bank.
However, it has been plagued by political instability and widespread corruption. In 2018, a Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International ranked the DR Congo 161st out of 180 countries.
The country is currently in the middle of combating the second worst Ebola outbreak in history. It also recently declared an epidemic of measles, which the health ministry said has killed more people than Ebola.
