Congo: Parliamentary elections July 16

Event

Legislative, local, and municipal elections will take place on Friday, July 16, in Congo. Some 151 MPs are to be elected, 12 more positions than were on the ballot in 2012. Due to the recent development of new urban communities, county and municipal councilors will increase from 890 to 1000 elected officials. A second round of elections is scheduled to take place on July 30. Increased security measures are likely near polling stations. However, six out of the 14 constituencies located in the Pool department will reportedly not be able to vote due to ongoing serious concerns over security.

On July 10, US diplomatic authorities in the country issued a security message warning its citizens residing in or traveling to Congo to exercise caution while in country during the election season as demonstrations intended to be peaceful can deteriorate and turn violent with little notice. Enhanced security is to be anticipated nationwide to secure polling places and ensure order.

Context

This election cycle is characterized by a tense political climate, largely linked to the democratic controversy following the reelection of long-time President Denis Sassou Nguesso in March 2016 and accusations of crackdowns on dissent and allegations of human rights violations in the country. Meanwhile, a humanitarian crisis is ongoing in the Pool department amid armed conflict between Congolese forces and the militia group Ninjas Nsiloulou, which erupted shortly after the reelection of President Nguesso. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) also recently denounced repression taking place in the neighboring region of the capital Brazzaville.

The 2012 legislative elections were boycotted by the opposition, who maintained that the vote was neither democratic nor transparent. This election cycle, the opposition's participation could be more significant, as the new constitution, adopted in 2015, provides for a still undefined opposition status that could devote a share of public funding to parties in parliament.

Advice

Those present in Congo are advised to keep abreast of the situation, avoid all demonstrations and politically sensitive discussions, and follow the instructions of local authorities as well as those of their home governments.