UN envoys brief Security Council on DRC elections, sexual violence

UN Chief Ban Ki-moon's special representatives on Tuesday briefed the UN Security Council on the latest developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC), in particular election preparation, security, and violence against women. Roger Meece, Ban's special representative for the DRC, spoke to reporters outside the Security Council chamber after he had just briefed the 15-nation council on the situation in the DRC. "I was seeking to provide information to the council in terms of the state of preparation for the elections, the national elections expected at the end of November, as well as a review of the general security situation in the eastern part of the country and the general situation relevant to our mandate and our work seeking to accomplish that mandate," said Meece. The DRC will hold presidential and legislative elections on Nov. 28. Ban's most recent report on the DRC indicates that since June there have been politically motivated incidents and allegations of human rights violations linked to the election process. The council also heard on Tuesday from Margot Wallstrom, special representative of the UN secretary-general on sexual violence in conflict. Addressing reporters after briefing the council, Wallstrom said that she is still "very concerned" about sexual violence being used for political ends. "This is very important for all parties to also declare their commitment to fighting sexual violence so the candidates should be asked where they stand on this particular issue," she said.