The nexus between electoral processes and security holds paramount significance, especially in regions grappling with crises. In line with this imperative, a workshop titled “Security and Elections in Times of Crisis: Issues and Challenges” took place from December 5th to 7th, 2023, in Goma, DRC. This event held pivotal importance, not only for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) but also for the broader Great Lakes Region.
This workshop, organized through a collaboration between the European Union (EU) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), endeavors to convene key stakeholders of the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism (EJVM). Its primary focus lies in addressing challenges linked to elections in the DRC and evaluating potential risks of violence. The EJVM, established in 2012 in Goma, brings together military experts from the 12 ICGLR Member States alongside observers from regional and international organizations.
At the heart of the EJVM’s mandate is the monitoring, verification, and reporting of the security landscape along the DRC’s borders, particularly in the Kivu and Ituri provinces. In a climate marked by heightened security concerns, this workshop assumes critical significance in strengthening the analytical capacities of EJVM’s experts.
Over three days, the experts delved into diverse facets encompassing understanding the electoral process, delineating the role of security forces, and efficaciously pre-empting electoral violence. Emphasis was also laid on cross-border threats and devising strategies to counter them throughout the electoral trajectory. The primary objective was to equip participants with indispensable tools and insights to avert violence and ensure stability, notably during the December 2023 elections in the DRC.
This workshop stood as an unparalleled opportunity to augment the knowledge and proficiencies of individuals engaged in electoral security. It served as a collaborative platform fostering exchange, aiming to collectively address common challenges and pave the way for peaceful and democratic elections in the Great Lakes Region.
