Washington (December 12, 2016) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee’s Africa and Global Health Policy Subcommittee, released the following statement today after the Obama administration announced additional targeted sanctions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a move that Senator Markey has championed since February. 

“I commend the administration’s sanctions against Democratic Republic of the Congo officials Evariste Boshab, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Security, and Kalev Mutondo, General Administrator of the National Intelligence Agency, for undermining the DRC’s democracy and committing human rights violations.  President Kabila should unequivocally announce he will not run for reelection and negotiate in good faith through a fully inclusive dialogue that sets a date certain for elections in 2017 and establishes a caretaker government to oversee the elections and transition to a new president. The DRC’s government must cease all intimidation and violence, end restrictions on the media and internet, and allow peaceful political activity. 

“If President Kabila and other DRC officials flout the constitution and continue to oppose free and fair elections, there will be consequences, including further sanctions. Senate Resolution 485, adopted by unanimous consent in September, demonstrates the strong bipartisan consensus supporting the people of the DRC as they struggle to build a just and lasting democracy.”

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