The International Civil society Action Network and the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders condemn the continuing election-related violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The UK newspaper, The Guardian reported that at least 20 people have already been killed in election-related violence. Various groups have documented election irregularities from different provinces in the DRC including insufficient ballots, lack of security, destructions of polling stations and last minute replacement of electoral personnel. International election observers have questioned the credibility of the results while the two main candidates, incumbent Joseph Kabila and rival Etienne Tshisekedi both declare themselves winners. Congolese police have launched a crackdown in Kinshasa, forcing the people of Kinshasa and in particular  Congolese youth to remain in their homes.  More recently, members of President Kabila’s Republican Guard beat women who were demonstrating in front of the US embassy against the election irregularities.

Some women peace activists have been receiving phone treats and are verbally abused on the streets. This is a clear attempt to intimidate women's organizations and civil society groups who are working to build peace and promote human rights and justice.

We stand in support of all women’s groups and civil society organizations demanding a peaceful resolution of the election–related conflict. We support the Cadre Permanent de Concertation de la Femme Congolaise (CAFCO)’s calls for:

• The Independent National Electoral Commission to publish the election results in detail and ensure transparency of the elections;
• The Candidates and political parties to resort to legal means to settle election disputes;
• The Congolese population to demonstrate maturity and good citizens’ behavior and practice a culture of respect, peace and justice; and
• The National Police to carry out their duty of protecting citizens with professionalism and accountability.  

We call on regional institutions such as the African Union and the international community to assist the DRC in preventing post-election conflicts and provide all possible forms of support to ensure a fully democratic process.  In accordance with UNSCR 1325 and related resolutions we also call on all international actors including the United Nations, EU and others, to ensure that any and all envoys or missions dispatched to the DRC have structured and systematic interaction with women and civil society organizations to benefit from the perspectives we offer and ensure that our concerns are addressed and we are included in the resolution of this crisis.

Organizations

1. Afghan Women's Network – Afghanistan

2. African Women’s Active Nonviolence Initiatives for Social Change (AWANICh) – Ghana
3. Asian Circle 1325 – Philippines
4. Cadre Permanent de Concertation de la Femme Congolaise (CAFCO) - DRC
5. Centre d’Etudes sur la Justice et la Résolution 1325 (CJR 1325) – DRC
6. Center for Women in Governance (CEWIGO) – Uganda
7. Centro de Education e Investigacin para la Paz (CEIPAZ –Spain)
8. Corporación de Investigación y Acción Social y Económica (CIASE – Colombia) 
9. FemLINKPacific - Fiji
10. Fountain ISOKO for Good Governance and integrated Development – Burundi
11. Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict
12. Liga de Mujeres Desplazadas – Colombia
13. Middle East and North Africa Partnership for Preventing of Armed Conflict
    
    (MENAPPAC)
    
    
14. Miriam College Center for Peace Education – Philippines
15. National Organization of Women (NOW) – Sierra Leone
16. Observatorio Género Democracia y Derechos Humanos – Colombia
17. Peace Women Partners - Philippines
18. Permanent Peace Movement – Lebanon
19. Red Nacional de Mujeres – Colombia
20. Réseau d’Education Civique au Congo (RECIC) – DRC
21. Rural Women Peace Link - Kenya
22. Rwanda Women's Network (RWN) – Rwanda
23. Saathi – Nepal
24. Teso Women Peace Activists (TEWPA) – Uganda
25. Voice of the Voiceless – Liberia
26. Women Allies Peacebuilders Network – Burundi
27. Women in Black - Belgrade, Serbia
28. Women in Peacebuilding Network (WIPNET- Liberia)
29. Women Peace Initiatives – Uganda (WOPI-U) 

Individuals

1. Cerue Garlo – Liberia  
2. Maud  Edgren-Schori - Sweden

To add your organization or individual name to the list of signatories, email

Mavic Cabrera Balleza <maviccabreraballeza@gmail.com> International Coordinator Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, a program partner of the International Civil society Action Network