AFRICA/DR CONGO - The President of CENCO to the UN: "The New Year's Eve agreement is the only way out of the crisis"

Wednesday, 22 March 2017 bishops   un  

Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - "The Democratic Republic of Congo is now without any legitimate institution. It is the first time that this has happened in our Country since independence. Therefore, the agreement of December 31 is the only way out of the crisis", said His Exc. Mgr. Marcel Utembi Tapa, Archbishop of Kisangani and President of the Episcopal Conference of the Democratic Republic of Congo (CENCO) in his speech yesterday, on March 21, in front of the UN Security Council.
The President of CENCO was invited to describe the situation in the DRC by the Chairman of the Council of the United Nations. The failure to hold the presidential elections that were to take place in December 2016, created a serious political crisis. The Bishops were called to mediate between the majority and opposition. Thanks to their efforts, an agreement was reached on December 31 that provides for the maintenance of office of outgoing President, Joseph Kabila, and the formation of a national unity government, whose Premier is appointed by the opposition, in charge of leading the Country to the elections.
However, the difficulties that came to surface were on how to implement the agreement. "Unfortunately, the specific agreement destined to ensuring the implementation of the agreements is difficult to achieve", said Mgr. Utembi Tapa. "While the population looks forward to the elections, the political status quo due to the intransigence of the negotiators on some remaining points of divergence and managed by political maneuvering, could delay the implementation of the agreement". The Bishops have announced that the negotiations for the implementation of the agreements (see Fides 21/03/2017) will have to be concluded on March 27.
"The security situation, marked by bloody clashes and human rights violations, remain worrying", added the Archbishop, who concluded by asking the members to commit themselves for peace in the DRC. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 22/03/2017)


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