https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231130/eu-election-observation-mission-canceled-in-drc-due-to-technical-constraints-1063868418.html
EU Election Observation Mission Canceled in DRC Due to 'Technical Constraints'
EU Election Observation Mission Canceled in DRC Due to 'Technical Constraints'
Sputnik Africa
The general election campaign in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) began on last Monday amid ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the country... 30.11.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-11-30T16:34+0100
2023-11-30T16:34+0100
2023-11-30T16:34+0100
sub-saharan africa
republic of the congo (congo)
european union (eu)
central africa
presidential election
felix tshisekedi
democratic republic of the congo (drc)
m23 rebels
east african community (eac)
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The European Union's election observation mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo was canceled due to "technical constraints," as stated by Nabila Massrali, a spokesperson for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy of the EU, in a statement released on Wednesday.Massrali mentioned that the EU was exploring alternative ways to observe the elections, including a deployment of the electoral experts in the capital.Presidential elections in the Central African country are scheduled for December 20.Organizing voting across a 2.3 million square kilometer nation with little infrastructure poses a significant logistical challenges for the Independent National Electoral Commission. Despite the political determination to adhere to the election schedule, experts express concerns about the technical ability to conduct the elections without a hitch.Moreover, the ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the country, centered in the North Kivu province, presents a serious obstacle to the electoral process. Recent activities by the M23 rebel group in the area have raised security concerns, potentially impacting the voting process in certain areas.Felix Tshisekedi, the incumbent president, has emphasized his commitment to peace and ensuring M23 doesn't sabotage the election process by seizing control of crucial locations like the province capital Goma.However, last Saturday, the DRC decided not to prolong the East African Community's regional force's mandate after its expiration on December, 8. These forces were deployed in the country in November 2022 to curb the activities of M23 rebel group and other insurgent movements, contributing to maintaining peace in the area.M23 is one of the several militant organizations active in the mineral-rich eastern part of the DRC. It has gained partial control of the country's eastern North Kivu province since resuming hostilities in late 2021 after years of inactivity.
https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231014/head-of-dr-congo-election-commission-vows-violence-in-east-will-not-hinder-elections-1062784832.html
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republic of the congo (congo), european union (eu), central africa, presidential election, felix tshisekedi, democratic republic of the congo (drc), m23 rebels, east african community (eac)
republic of the congo (congo), european union (eu), central africa, presidential election, felix tshisekedi, democratic republic of the congo (drc), m23 rebels, east african community (eac)
EU Election Observation Mission Canceled in DRC Due to 'Technical Constraints'
The general election campaign in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) began on last Monday amid ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the country, plagued by insurgency of various military factions across the nation.
The European Union's election observation mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo was canceled due to "technical constraints," as stated by Nabila Massrali, a spokesperson for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy of the EU, in a
statement released on Wednesday.
"Due to technical constraints beyond the control of the EU, we are forced to cancel the EU election observation mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The EU mission had planned to deploy long-term observers in most provinces of the DRC, but this is now no longer possible," the statement said.
Massrali mentioned that the EU was exploring alternative ways to observe the
elections, including a deployment of the electoral experts in the capital.
"The EU is exploring other options with the Congolese authorities, including the possibility of maintaining a mission of electoral experts to observe the electoral process from the capital," the EU stated.
Presidential elections in the Central African country are scheduled for December 20.
Organizing voting across a 2.3 million square kilometer nation with little infrastructure poses a significant logistical challenges for the Independent National Electoral Commission. Despite the political determination to adhere to the election schedule, experts express concerns about the technical ability to conduct the elections without a hitch.
Moreover, the ongoing conflict in the eastern part of the country, centered in the North Kivu province, presents a serious obstacle to the electoral process. Recent activities by the M23 rebel group in the area have raised security concerns, potentially impacting the voting process in certain areas.
Felix Tshisekedi, the incumbent president, has emphasized his commitment to peace and ensuring M23 doesn't sabotage the election process by seizing control of crucial locations like the province capital Goma.
However, last Saturday, the DRC
decided not to prolong the East African Community's regional force's mandate after its expiration on December, 8. These forces were deployed in the country in November 2022 to curb the activities of M23 rebel group and other insurgent movements, contributing to maintaining peace in the area.
M23 is one of the several militant organizations active in the mineral-rich eastern part of the DRC.
It has gained partial control of the country's eastern North Kivu province since resuming hostilities in late 2021 after years of inactivity.
