The Secretary-General “continues to follow closely” the situation in the country, particularly the political dialogue process, and “takes note of” the preparatory committee’s meeting convened by Edem Kodjo, the Facilitator of the African Union, his spokesperson said in a statement.

According to the statement, the UN chief recalled that in 2277 (2016) the Security Council underlined the importance of a credible and inclusive political dialogue to ensure peaceful, credible, inclusive, transparent and timely presidential and legislative elections, in line with the Constitution.

“The Secretary-General once again calls on all political stakeholders in the DRC to engage in an inclusive political dialogue in good faith to overcome the impasse in the electoral process,” the statement said.

Further,  Ban noted that there is no alternative to a credible political dialogue and urged all actors to refrain from any action that could increase tensions or lead to violence, the statement said.