Discorso pronunciato dall’ Italia al briefing in Consiglio di Sicurezza sulla situazione nella Repubblica Democratica del Congo.—
Mr. President,
I thank Under-Secretary General Lacroix for his comprehensive briefing.
Italy is deeply worried by the worsening of the security and humanitarian situation in DRC; in particular in the Kasai province.
The spillover effect of the situation on the stability of the region should not be underestimated as well.
We are equally concerned by the shrinking in democratic space in the country and human rights violations. The Government of DRC has a primary responsibility to respect and protect the rights of all its citizens and we encourage it to fulfill its obligations, including those to hold accountable the perpetrators of violence.
At the political level, Italy remains convinced that the full implementation of the 31 December 2016 Agreement remains the only valuable and agreed political road map and is therefore key to sustaining the legitimacy of transitional institutions.
This transition must lead the country to a transparent democratic elections, to be held as soon as possible and in compliance with the Constitution and 31st December Agreement.
In this sense the latest declarations by the Independent National Electoral Commission are not encouraging as we have heard today. In this regard, we call on the Government and Congolese political forces to speed up the preparation of peaceful, credible and inclusive elections conducive to a democratic passage of power.
In closing, Mr. President, allow me to renew Italy’s full support to the Secretary-General Special Representative and to MONUSCO, they both play a vital role in the country.
Thank you Mr. President
