Opposition parties in DRC condemn bid for UN human rights council membership

A coalition of opposition parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has joined the Bill Clinton Foundation for Peace (FBCP) in opposing the country’s bid for membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council.

This move highlights concerns about the DRC’s human rights record under President Félix Tshisekedi’s leadership.

The opposition alliance, composed of Ensemble pour la République, Leadership et Gouvernance pour le Développement (LGD), the Lumumbist Progressive Movement (MLP), Piste for Emergence (Piste-E), and the Congolese People’s Movement for the Republic (MPCR), issued a joint statement on Tuesday urging the UN to reject the DRC’s candidacy.

The parties argue that the DRC has yet to meet basic standards of human rights and should not be granted a seat on the council.

Opposition Calls for International Action

“We alert all Congo’s friends within the African Union and the international community to the ongoing threat posed by the Tshisekedi regime, which continues to violate citizens’ rights and freedoms in a constitutional democracy.

We therefore call on the United Nations and international partners to reject the DRC’s bid for the Human Rights Council until these abuses cease,” the statement declared.

The opposition’s concerns echo the criticism from the FBCP, which earlier raised alarms about the DRC’s suitability for a position on the council given the government’s alleged human rights violations.

Both the opposition and the FBCP argue that the DRC’s current administration does not meet the standards required for council membership, which includes upholding and protecting human rights.

Government Unfazed by Protests

Despite the growing protests, the Congolese government appears undeterred.

Kinshasa continues to lobby for international support, even establishing a task force dedicated to advancing the DRC’s bid.

The government remains focused on the vote scheduled for June 2025, following its formal candidacy submission in August.

The DRC has already secured backing from the African Union in February 2024, bolstering its chances for success.

While the opposition protests, the question remains: will these objections impact the UN’s decision, or will the DRC’s lobbying efforts prove more influential?