On Tuesday evening, the House passed Rep. Chris Smith’s (R-NJ) legislation, HR 6207, the Democratic Republic of the Congo Democracy and Accountability Act of 2018, which would promote free and fair elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

“This bill could not be more timely,” Rep. Smith, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on Africa, stated on the House Floor before the legislation was voted on. “Next month, just before Christmas, the country is scheduled to vote to replace Joseph Kabila, who has retained power in defiance of constitutional term limits for some two years beyond his mandate.” (To read Rep. Smith’s Floor statement, click here)

“Right now there is talk of further postponement of the election, which would accord with Kabila’s desire to postpone a transfer of power for as long as possible,” Smith said. “This bill shows Congressional resolve that there be accountability in such case.”

The Democratic Republic of the Congo Democracy and Accountability Act of 2018 (HR 6207) would promote free and fair elections in the DRC through the following actions:

·         Calling on the DRC government to release all political prisoners, lift restrictions on freedoms of speech, the press, assembly, and association, honor the right to peacefully protest, and establish accountability for abuses committed by security forces

·         Codifying Executive Order sanctions authority, and requiring the Administration to utilize other existing authorities, including those provided by the Global Magnitsky Act, to sanction individual officials who are guilty of grave human rights abuses.

·         Supporting civil society groups which are seeking to quell civil strife and prevent political repression by upholding the need for rule of law and respect for constitutional principles

·         Calling for close cooperation with faith-based entities that have a unique capacity to address local humanitarian needs

·         Calling for an evaluation of U.S. partnerships with aid groups to better determine the right partners

Rep. Smith introduced the legislation along with lead Democratic cosponsor Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA). Smith is the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, and Rep. Bass is the Subcommittee’s Ranking Member.

In 2016, the Catholic Church in the DRC negotiated the 2016 Saint Sylvestre Agreement to establish a pathway to a peaceful democratic transition of power, an agreement which President Joseph Kabila subsequently reneged on. Kabila currently wields executive power in the country although his term of office has lapsed and he is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term. Elections have been scheduled for December, although there have been reports of another postponement.

Reps Smith and Bass were also joined by the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) and Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY) in support of the bill.