A resolution urging the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to fulfill its agreement to hold credible elections, comply with constitutional limits on presidential terms, and fulfill its constitutional mandate for a democratic transition of power by taking concrete and measurable steps towards holding elections not later than December 2018 as outlined in the existing election calendar, and allowing for freedom of expression and association.

Bill: 115-sres-386
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2018-01-30 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Political parties and affiliation
Protest and dissent
Rule of law and government transparency
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status

Summary:
action_date: 2018-01-30
text: 
Expresses concern that: (1) the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) failed to hold elections in 2016 or 2017; and (2) the growing security, humanitarian, and human rights crisis in the DRC is exacerbated by the lack of a duly elected leadership.
 
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.
 
Calls on: (1) such government to complete specified concrete steps towards holding elections by December 23, 2018; and (2) the opposition to take all steps possible within the DRC to support and promote immediate free, fair, and inclusive elections.
 
Urges the President of the United States, in close coordination with regional and international partners, to: (1) provide appropriate electoral assistance to support the organization of credible elections as soon as possible, and (2) use appropriate means to deter further electoral calendar slippage and abuses against the Congolese people.
 
 
 
 

action_date: 2018-05-24
text: 
Expresses concern that: (1) the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo failed to hold elections in 2016 or 2017; and (2) the growing security, humanitarian, and human rights crisis is exacerbated by the lack of a duly elected leadership.
 
Calls on the government to hold elections by December 23, 2018. 
 
Urges the President of the United States, in coordination with regional and international partners, to provide electoral assistance. 
 
 
 
 

action_date: 2018-07-16
text: 
Expresses concern that: (1) the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo failed to hold elections in 2016 or 2017; and (2) the growing security, humanitarian, and human rights crisis is exacerbated by the lack of a duly elected leadership.
 
Calls on the government to hold elections by December 23, 2018. 
 
Urges the President of the United States, in coordination with regional and international partners, to provide electoral assistance. 
 
 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-07-16
text: Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amended preamble by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S4967-4968; text: CR S4968)
action_date: 2018-07-16
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate with an amendment and an amended preamble by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S4967-4968; text: CR S4968)
action_date: 2018-05-24
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 436.
action_date: 2018-05-24
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2018-05-24
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and with an amended preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2018-05-22
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
action_date: 2018-01-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S584)
action_date: 2018-01-30
text: Introduced in Senate