The Office of The Honorable Christoper Smith, United States Representative, issued a press release on December 29, 2023, containing the Congressman’s statement on the recent elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Among other points, the Congressman urged respect for “independent church voices” that had observed the elections and remained eager for democracy and respect for constitutional principles to prevail in one of the most important and proud countries in Africa.

The Congressman is aware that CENI has put into effect procedures to ensure free and fair elections.  Even more important, the Congolese people, by their participation in the election, indicated their support for the opportunities provided to them to choose their leaders, not only the man who would serve as their president for the next five years but for the (other offices) as well.

CENI has invited an unprecedented number of international observers to monitor the elections and make suggestions as to appropriate improvement.  These include institutions of Congolese civil society including such groups as  CENCO-ECC, Regard Citoyen, CO-MOEC (including SYMOCEL and NSCC), and ROC, but also international entities such as the The Carter Center, the African Union, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Interna�onal Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and  the Southern African Development Community (SADC)

DR Congo - Now Africa's Largest French-Speaking Democracy

Although some media reports forecast that last month's elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo would be 'chaotic' and 'fraudulent', preliminary reports by several international observers concluded that the process met the standards to be considered free and fair, according to the U.S.-based The Forum of Congolese Intellectuals of Abroad (FICE), which deployed an observer team to monitor the voting. On December 31, the final vote tallies announced in Kinshasa by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) showed current President Felix Tshisekedi with almost 74 percent of the vote. While the Constitutional Court still has to adjudicate any complaint about the results, this may only be a formality since given Tshisekedi's lead, it is clear that he will be the first ever Congolese President to be democratically elected for a second term.

FICE was one of several Western, African, and Congolese entities certified by the Independent Commission for National Elections (CENI) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to observe the December 20th general elections (presidential, national, provincial, and local legislative elections) in the country. In an analysis, Professor Dr. Ngoie Joel Nshisso and Mr. Stephen Lande conclude that the elections "met the standards to be considered free and fair." despite protests by Tshisekedi's opponents contesting the results. "Tshisedeki was reelected mainly due to his record and his efforts," the authors argue. "World attention should now focus on working with the Tshisekedi Administration to make sure that the term is a success," they write. "The DRC needs it, Africa needs it, and the world needs it."

The letter further states that due to “manifest irregularities” and delays in vote counting, citizens are taking to the streets.  CENI is not aware of any delays in compiling the vote.  Vote counting has proceeded on schedule, with full results due to be announce on January 1^st.  Also, very few assertions of irregularities have come to our attention.  The Constitution of the DRC provides for an orderly way to adjudicate these claims, culminating in public hearings before the Constitutional Court.

It is not appropriate for CENI to comment on the government’s action to ensure respect for the right to assemble peacefully and to free speech. as it is an independent election body.  However, as a video available on YouTube demonstrates (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1emMtYcapY), the citizens “taking to the streets to challenge the results” as referred to the press release of Representative Smith, was not peaceful.  The video shows demonstrators throwing stones, destroying property, and carrying weapons.   Their actions brought up memories of the Insurrection of January 6^th, which rocked the US Capitol.

CENI remains fully committed to ensuring that the 2023 elections are transparent and accountable.