COMMON STATEMENT OF THE LEADERS OF THE OPPOSITION

CANDIDATES FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

1. The leaders of the Congolese Opposition note that Mr. Joseph Kabila appointed on August
8th of this year, a candidate for the presidential election from his political party. In so
doing he is finally complying with article 70 of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic
of Congo which forbids him to run for a third term. This marks the way to holding this
coming December 23rd, peaceful and credible democratic elections that will force
political choice, so anticipated by the Congolese people, in accordance with the global
and inclusive political Agreement of December 31st, 2016 (Saint Sylvestre Agreement).

2. The Congolese People have just won a historic victory by their determination and huge
sacrifices made to safeguard the democratic political order established in the Constitution
of February 18, 2006 thus assuring the stability of the institutions of the Republic
emanating from the National Consensus of Sun City.

3. The Opposition congratulates warmly all the Congolese, both those residing in the Congo
as well as the diaspora, who are courageously and actively involved in the fight for the
respect of the Constitution and the coming of new leadership in the Democratic Republic
of Congo. The Opposition salutes with all due respect the memory of their fellow
countrymen who lost their lives on the battlefront in defense of republican and
democratic values.

4. The Opposition welcomes the firm support of the foreign partners of the Democratic
Republic of Congo from whom the Congolese people benefited during these tumultuous
years of its history, as as it transitions its institutions to one of a democratic regime under
the rule of law. The Opposition thanks more specially the African Union, U.A, the South
African Development Community, SADC, the International Conference for the Region of
the Great Lakes, C.I.R.G.L, and the United Nations for the support to the Congolese People
in its fight for the organization of free, transparent, inclusive and credible elections.

5. The Opposition draws the attention of the Congolese People and the international
community to the fact that Joseph Kabila's withdrawal from the presidential election is
only a stage victory. The fight for elections corresponding to the most elementary
democratic standards and to the international standards as expected in the road map of
the Saint Sylvestre Agreement remains before us.

6. The Opposition reaffirms its absolute commitment to the current electoral process and
reminds everyone empahtically that in addition to the respect for article 70 of the
Constitution, the inclusiveness of the elections, the full implementation of the relaxing
measures (décrispation) contemplated in the Saint Sylvestre Agreement, the resolution
of the questions connected to the security in the East of the country and in Kasai and
North Katanga, as well as securing the entirety of the electoral process which is
indispensible to creating an institutional and political environment favorable to the
holding of peaceful and reliable elections.
Consequently, the Opposition:

7. Condemns firmly the decision taken by the Congolese government to deny the authority
of Moses Katumbi Chapwe to return to the Democratic Republic of Congo, thus forcing
him into exile and preventing him to file his candidacy for the presidential elections, in
blatant violation of article 30 paragraph 2 of the Constitution, article 12.4 of the
International Pact of the United Nations Concerning Civil and Political Rights and aricle 9
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Opposition condemns the unjustifiable
deployment of armed forces on August 3 and 4, 2018, to Kasumbalesa as well as force
used by the military on Congolese citizens who had come in large numbers to welcome
Mr. Katumbi;

8. Demands the immediate and unconditional lifting of this illegal measure as well as the
return of Moses Katumbi Chapwe such that he can participate in the presidential elections
of December 23, 2018 ;

9. Demands the withdrawal of the voting machine by the Independent National Election
Board ( CENI);

10. Demands the scrutiny of the electoral rolls to eliminate those enrolled who are presumed
to be fictitious, estimated by the group of experts of the O.I.F to be ten million of of
40,024,897 registered voters;

11. Demands the liberation of political prisoners and detainees such as but not limited to
Jean-Claude MUYAMBO, Franck DIONGO, DIOMI NDONGALA and the activists of the
movements FILIMBI and LUCHA, the return as free men and in complete safety from the
Congolese security apparatus of those in exile, the freedom to meet and to conduct
peaceful demonstrations, the reopening of the free press that has been closed and the
fair access for all to the public media;

12. Demands the replacement of the delegate from the UDPS in the CENI.

13. Demnds the repatriation of the remains of President Etienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba to
the country and the granting of a national funeral fit for someone of his rank.;

14. Serves warning to the regime against any inclination to politicize CENI and the
Constitutional court and thus to invalidate the candidacy of any of the Opposition, in
particular Senator Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo by dubious or inappropriate interpretations
of the law and legal jurisprudence.

15. Invites all the stakeholders in the electoral process and all of the Congolese People to
work relentlessly in the realization of prerequisites referenced above for a joyous
outcome of this electoral process.

16. The leaders of the Opposition reaffirm their determination not to allow chaotic elections
in Democratic Republic of Congo and call to the people to remain watchful to insure the
 elections are held on December 23, 2018 in strict compliance with the Constitution and
the Saint Sylvestre Agreement.

17. The leaders of the Opposition are currently holding discusions to appoint a single
candidate to the next presidential election with a common program to improve the living
conditions of the Congolese people.

FOR THE POLITICAL OPPOSITION

Félix TSHISEKEDI TSHILOMBO

UDPS and Allies

Jean-Pierre BEMBA GOMBO

MLC and Allies

Moses KATUMBI CHAPWE

Together for Change

Vital KAMERHE
UNC

Martin FAYLU MADIDI

The Dynamic of the Opposition

Freddy MATUNGULU
CONGO NA BISO