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DR Congo: UN chief notes launch of national dialogue towards elections, urges more inclusive process

Just Earth News 03 Sep 2016

DR Congo: UN chief notes launch of national dialogue towards elections, urges more inclusive process

MONUSCO/Theophane Kinda

New York, Sept 3 (Just Earth News): United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has taken note of the 1 September launch of the national dialogue in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and urged the political groups that have not yet joined the dialogue to “play a constructive role which contributes to the holding of timely and credible elections,” according to his spokesman.

“He remains convinced only an inclusive political dialogue will help pave the way towards peaceful and credible elections, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2277 (2016),”  Ban's spokesman added in a statement issued late this evening.

In the resolution, 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 scheduled for November 2016, in line with the Constitution.

The Secretary-General encouraged the Government to continue confidence-building measures and to uphold the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution with a view towards establishing an atmosphere conducive to credible dialogue, the spokesman said.

 Ban also urged all actors to refrain from any action that could increase tensions or lead to violence, the spokesman added.