A resolution urging the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to comply with constitutional limits on presidential terms and fulfill its constitutional mandate for a democratic transition of power in 2016.

Bill: 114-sres-485
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2016-06-09 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Protest and dissent
Rule of law and government transparency
Sanctions
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status

Summary:
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: 
Urges: (1) the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and all other relevant parties to engage in a credible, independently monitored, and technical dialogue to reach consensus on a way forward on establishing a detailed electoral calendar and organizing elections; and (2) such government to respect the constitution of the DRC and ensure a free, open, peaceful, and democratic transition of power.
 
Expresses solidarity with the people of the DRC to choose their own government in an atmosphere free of violence, threats, and intimidation. Calls for the release of Fred Bauma and Yves Makwambala.
 
Commits to maintain vigilance and scrutiny of the electoral process in the DRC.
 
Pledges to examine continuously the use of all appropriate means to ensure the objectives of this resolution, including the imposition of targeted sanctions on individuals or entities responsible for violence and human rights violations and for undermining democratic processes in the DRC.

action_date: 2016-07-14
text: 
Expresses concern with respect to the failure of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to take actions required to hold elections in November 2016 as required by its Constitution.
 
Recognizes that impunity and lack of effective rule of law undermine democracy and that the arrest and detention of civil society activists and the harassment of political opponents close political space and repress peaceful dissent. 
 
Reaffirms support for democracy and good governance in sub-Saharan Africa.
 
Calls on the DRC government and all other parties to respect the Constitution of the DRC and ensure a free, open, peaceful, and democratic transition of power. Urges such government to demonstrate leadership and commitment to elections by accelerating concrete steps towards holding elections, including registering voters and protecting partisan political speech and activities.
 
Encourages such government and all other relevant parties to engage in a focused discussion to advance the electoral process and reach consensus on the way forward by establishing a detailed electoral calendar for all elections and enabling the candidate selection and campaign process.
 
Urges the President of the United States, in close coordination with regional and international partners, to:
 
 
 continuously verify that such necessary technical dialogue occurs and proceeds in a time and manner required to ensure the conduct of timely elections; 
 
 use appropriate means to ensure the objectives of this resolution, which may include imposition of additional targeted sanctions on individuals or entities responsible for violence and human rights violations and undermining democratic processes in the DRC; and 
 
 continue U.S. policy with respect to providing support for the organizing of free, fair, and peaceful national elections.
 

action_date: 2016-09-13
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on July 14, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 
Expresses concern with respect to the failure of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to take actions required to hold elections in November 2016 as required by its Constitution.
 
Recognizes that impunity and lack of effective rule of law undermine democracy and that the arrest and detention of civil society activists and the harassment of political opponents close political space and repress peaceful dissent. 
 
Reaffirms support for democracy and good governance in sub-Saharan Africa.
 
Calls on the DRC government and all other parties to respect the Constitution of the DRC and ensure a free, open, peaceful, and democratic transition of power. Urges such government to demonstrate leadership and commitment to elections by accelerating concrete steps towards holding elections, including registering voters and protecting partisan political speech and activities.
 
Encourages such government and all other relevant parties to engage in a focused discussion to advance the electoral process and reach consensus on the way forward by establishing a detailed electoral calendar for all elections and enabling the candidate selection and campaign process.
 
Urges the President of the United States, in close coordination with regional and international partners, to:
 
 
 continuously verify that such necessary technical dialogue occurs and proceeds in a time and manner required to ensure the conduct of timely elections; 
 
 use appropriate means to ensure the objectives of this resolution, which may include imposition of additional targeted sanctions on individuals or entities responsible for violence and human rights violations and undermining democratic processes in the DRC; and 
 
 continue U.S. policy with respect to providing support for the organizing of free, fair, and peaceful national elections.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent. (considered: CR S5677-5678; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S5677-5678)
action_date: 2016-09-13
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent.(considered: CR S5677-5678; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S5677-5678)
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 574.
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title and with an amended preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title and with an amended preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2016-06-09
text: Introduced in Senate