DRC unrest: Kinshasa orders EU to recall its representative

Just days to the much anticipated elections, a government communication signed by Foreign Minister Leonard She Okitundu has given the EU 48 hours to withdraw its representative following sanctions against fourteen Congolese officials for their roles in the repression of anti-Kabila protests.

Among the affected officials are Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, the ruling party’s candidate in the elections – at the time he was serving as Interior Minister, hence his inclusion.

Kinshasa had lobbied hard at a point soliciting the help of the African Union to ensure Shadary was free of the sanctions but the EU Council in early December voted to maintain the sanctions.

The upcoming elections were supposed to take place in late 2016 but were postponed by two whole years by the elections body, CENI, citing the lack of a credible voters roll, funding and insecurity.