Category: Politics

DRC’s Tshisekedi sued for rejecting regional election observers

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been sued at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) for allegedly rejecting regional election observers in the just concluded democratic exercise and its failure to pay its annual subscription membership fees since joining the community.

The EAC In December 2023, decided not TO send observers to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), citing “This development is because although EAC was ready, the request to undertake the exercise has not been granted by the relevant authorities.”

President Félix Tshisekedi was declared the winner of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s election, which the opposition condemned as a “sham” and demanded a rerun.

The president won about 73% of the vote, with his nearest challenger, Moise Katumbi, on 18%, according to the final results.

Mr. Tshisekedi was confirmed as president on Wednesday by the country’s constitutional court and is due to be sworn- in on January 20.

On this basis,  Hope for Humanity Africa sued the DRC government.

The organization is to be represented by a South Sudan-based law firm, the M/S PAN AFRICAN LAW CHAMBERS LLP also accused the DRC government of failing to pay a two-year arrears to the tune of $ 16 million.

It alleges that DRC violated the fundamental principles and objectives of the community.

In a notification, dated 29, December, 20023,   the regional justice court required the DRC Attorney General to file a response within 45 days from the day of service.

“You are hereby notified that the above-named applicant has instituted a reference against you, a copy of which is annexed hereto. you are hereby required to file a response within 45 days from the day of service. In default whereof, the reference will be heard and determined in your absence,” the statement read.

The EACJ warned that failure to do so, the case would be heard and determined in his absence.

Troika countries urge unity govt to reject violence, embrace democracy

The Embassies of the UK, Norway, and the United States have urged South Sudan leaders to embrace peace and people’s right to a government that is responsive to their needs as opposed to a small elite.

The Western embassies issued a joint statement on Tuesday following a meeting with Minister of Presidential Affairs Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation James Pitia Morgan on Monday.

The trio said their “engagement to support the people of what is today South Sudan began decades ago, and was based on values including peace, human rights, democracy, and people’s right to a government that is responsive to their needs, and not to that of a small elite.”

They stressed the need for the leaders to “the steps necessary to hold free, fair, and peaceful elections by December this year to demonstrate a shared foundational value in their bilateral relationships.”

The embassies also urged the leaders to reject violence as a tool for competition.

They further stated that “another way to demonstrate alignment with the foundational values in our bilateral relationships would be for the transitional government to start using public revenue transparently to meet public needs.”

“This includes funding for humanitarian support for returnees from Sudan, the health sector, education, and other basic services as well as for consistent salary payments to security personnel and civil servants and funding for necessary electoral institutions.”

According to the embassies, they now look for signs that these priorities are shared by South Sudan’s leaders while warning history will judge them.

 

 

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