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Security Council urges DR of Congo to prepare peacefully for elections

Security Council urges DR of Congo to prepare peacefully for elections

Security Council
With the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s parliament having extended the political transition for six months from tomorrow, the United Nations Security Council today called on the Congolese parties to prepare to conduct elections peacefully and on the DRC Government to be transparent in its financial dealings.

In a presidential statement read in a formal meeting by Ambassador Michel Duclos of France, the country presiding over the Council in June, the Council, noting Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s recommendation in his 26 May report, “urged the candidates and political parties to refrain from any action that might disrupt” the electoral process.

Welcoming the promulgation of the referendum law, it said all parties and Transitional institutions should make every effort to respect the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) timetable and, in particular, prepare to hold the referendum on the draft Constitution as soon as possible.

It urged the Transitional Government to speed up the reforms remaining to be dealt with, especially drafting the electoral law and integrating the security forces.

In addition, “the Council called on the Congolese authorities to exercise efficient, transparent and comprehensive control over state finances, ensuring that there is no impunity for those responsible for acts of embezzlement or corruption.”