RE:RE:mining.comHuman Rights Watch (HRW) on Saturday urged Congolese authorities to investigate incidents of electoral violence that the human rights organization says imperil the country’s upcoming general elections.
In its statement, HRW called attention to the various forms of violence and human rights abuses that have plagued the DRC’s political landscape in the lead-up to the December elections, which have the potential to restructure the Congolese government as these elections are for president, as well as national and provincial parliaments, and small-scale local offices.
The organization called upon local authorities to “urgently and impartially investigate” the various recent incidents of electoral violence, which have cast a shadow over the prospects of a free, fair, and transparent election in one of Africa’s largest and most politically significant nations. HRW also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the violence, warning that authorities should “deter attacks” and “prioritize accountability”.
This election cycle has been marred by a series of violent incidents, including at a rally for opposition candidate Mose Katumbi last Wednesday, where live rounds fired into the crowd and reportedly injured several individuals, including a police officer. Two parliamentary candidates were also killed in separate incidents on Friday. Additionally, reports of both physical and sexual violence emerged following a major incident on November 7 where supporters of incumbent President Flix Tshisekedi and supporters of Katumbi clashed at a rally in the southeastern Haut-Katanga province."
HRW calls for electoral violence investigation ahead of upcoming DR Congo polls - JURIST - News b.