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An ecumenical delegation led by World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit has released a message to the Congolese people that commends significant steps taken to ensure the success of the current electoral process, acknowledges the challenges ahead, and makes recommendations for pursuing peace and well-being for the country.
The delegation acknowledged that significant steps are being taken in the right direction, including efforts to correct electoral files, compliance with the major stages of the published calendar, and the commitment of the government to finance the elections.
The visiting delegation included Tveit and Rev. Dr Frank Chikane, moderator of the WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs, along with representatives from the All Africa Conference of Churches and the Roman Catholic Church.
They visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 19-21 August to meet with religious leaders and government officials, and to express solidarity with the people and pray for just peace.
The message expresses solidarity for the Congolese people at this crucial turning point in their history. General elections are scheduled for 23 December.
“At the same time, it is also an opportunity for us to encourage the various religious faith communities to work together, to look in the same direction and to speak with one voice for the general interest of the Congolese people,” reads the message. “After meeting and exchanging with different people, we understood that, for the solution for the crisis in the DRC, the success of the current electoral process is crucial, as provided in the Constitution and set out in the Global Political and Inclusive Agreement of 31 December 2016, which has been hailed by the Congolese people and by the international community.”
“On the other hand, we are also preoccupied, like many of our interlocutors, by a few challenges that, if not taken into account, may render in vain the efforts made,” the message continues.
These challenges include: “the issue of people enlisted without fingerprints; the need of consensus and trust on the use of the voting machine; the importance of fulfilling measures provided in the Saint Sylvestre Agreement, particularly the cases of prisoners and political exiles which are not yet resolved; and the need to guarantee the inclusiveness of elections.”
The delegation strongly urged the National Independent Electoral Commission and the Congolese Government to seriously address these issues by seeking the necessary consensus and by taking courageous actions in order to guarantee credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections. “This is very significant for the peace and the well-being of this beautiful and blessed country,” reads the message.
The delegation also recommended and encouraged election observation by national and international organizations that have the competence and wish to participate in the electoral poll of 23 December 2018.
“In this situation, we encourage the faith leaders to exercise their moral and pastoral responsibility vis a vis the Congolese people and their leaders,” the message reads. “We are stronger when we are together. That is why we encourage faith communities in DRC to continue to speak together with the same language and concentrate on the common good.”
Full message of the Ecumenical delegation to the Congolese people
