Elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Hearing
Date:
Location:
2200 Rayburn House Office Building

Announcement

Please join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a briefing on the upcoming elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the DRC.   

Presidential, parliamentary and provincial elections are currently scheduled in the DRC for December 23, 2018. The elections follow two years of intense efforts by Congolese activists, regional leaders, and the international community to facilitate an electoral transfer of power after President Joseph Kabila, who is widely unpopular, refused to step down when his second elected five-year term expired in 2016. Both the Obama and the Trump administrations have used high-level diplomatic engagement combined with economic sanctions in an effort to ensure credible elections. Observers of the process have found evidence of political interference, financial malfeasance, and other irregularities that raise doubts about the government’s capacity and commitment to oversee a fair and transparent contest. But further delaying the elections carries its own risks in a context of political repression, persistent insurgencies and humanitarian crisis.

Panelists will share their analysis of the state of electoral play and offer their recommendations as to any steps Congress should take going forward.

This briefing will be open to Members of Congress, congressional staff, the interested public, and the media. For any questions, please contact Kimberly Stanton at 202-225-3599 or Kimberly.Stanton@mail.house.gov (for Co-Chair McGovern) or Jamie Staley at 202-226-1516 or Jamie.Staley@mail.house.gov (for Co-Chair Hultgren).

Hosted by:

James P. McGovern
Member of Congress
Co-Chair, TLHRC		 Randy Hultgren
Member of Congress
Co-Chair, TLHRC
Witnesses

Opening Remarks

Panelists

  • John G. Tomaszewski, Regional Director for Africa, International Republican Institute
  • Anthony Gambino, Executive Director, Panzi Foundation
  • Paul Fagan, Director, Human Rights and Democracy Programs, McCain Institute
    ​Written statement
  • Mvemba Dizolele, Adjunct Lecturer, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

Moderator​

  • Alexis Arieff, Specialist in African Affairs, Congressional Research Service

Bios 

Meeting Documents

Video

Related Items
Democratic Republic of the Congo: An Update
Democracy and Human Rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Contact The Commission

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
House Committee on Foreign Affairs
4150 O'Neill House Office Building
200 C Street SW
Washington, D.C. 20515
United States of America

Phone: +1 (202) 225-3599
TLHRC@mail.house.gov

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Questions with regard to special accommodations in general (including availability of Commission materials in alternative formats and assistive listening devices, sign language interpretation, etc.) may be directed to the Commission.

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