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Following presidential and parliamentary elections conducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on 30 December 2018, the World Council of Churches (WCC) is calling for a peaceful democratic transition of power.
The DRC’s National Electoral Commission announced election of opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi as president.
“This is a pivotal moment in the history of the DRC,” said WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit. “If confirmed and if no violent unrest ensues, it will be the first since the DRC’s independence in 1960.”
The WCC and its member churches around the world joined in praying for peace and stability in the DRC, and for this historic opportunity to be realized.
“We pray that together the churches will help guide the country on the path of peace, justice and democracy, and away from violence, division and instability,” said Tveit. “Although some political figures have already denounced the electoral results, together with the All Africa Conference of Churches we appeal for any disputes regarding the outcome to be addressed peacefully through the established legal and constitutional processes.”
The WCC also asked the international community to ensure respect for the sovereignty of the DRC and its electoral process, and to further support the country towards peace and justice.
“The people of the DRC have suffered terribly from violence, instability, corruption and injustice in the past,” said Tveit. “This is an opportunity to definitively turn the page on that past history, and to set a new course for the country and the region.”
Statement by the WCC general secretary Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, 10 January 2019
Full message of the August ecumenical delegation to the Congolese people
