Supreme Court Decision Confirming Results of the Presidential Election in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
December 20, 2011
The
United States is deeply disappointed by the Democratic Republic of the
Congo Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the electoral commission’s
provisional results without fully evaluating widespread reports of
irregularities. We believe that the management and technical execution
of these elections were seriously flawed, lacked transparency and did
not measure up to the democratic gains we have seen in recent African
elections. However, it is still not clear whether the irregularities
were sufficient to change the outcome of the election.
We believe
that a review of the electoral process by the Congolese authorities and
outside experts may shed additional light on the cause of the
irregularities, identify ways to provide more credible results, and
offer guidance for the ongoing election results and for future
elections. We strongly urge all Congolese political leaders and their
supporters to act responsibly, renounce violence, and resolve any
disagreements through peaceful, constructive dialogue.
We have
called on Congolese authorities to investigate and prevent election
related human rights violations and we urge security forces to show
restraint in maintaining order. The United States continues to offer our
assistance and we stand with the Congolese people in their quest for
greater peace and democracy at home and throughout the region.
