"A political compromise is still possible if the parties involved are
committed and demonstrate good will. We remain available to offer our
services", said a statement from CENCO (Episcopal Conference of the
Democratic Republic of Congo) sent to Agenzia Fides.The statement, signed by His Exc. Mgr. Marcel Utembi Tapa, Archbishop of Kisangani and President of CENCO, and Mgr. Fridolin Ambongo Besengu, elected Archbishop of Mbandaka-Bikoro, Apostolic Administrator of Bokungu-Ikela and Vice President of CENCO, takes stock of the mediation between the majority and opposition that President Joseph Kabila asked the Bishops and supported by the international community.
The Bishops say that the work of mediation has allowed "to point out that there are several points of convergence between the parties" but which remain important divergences on the following: compliance with the Constitution and its implications with the current crisis; electoral calendar; financing of elections; independence of the Independent Electoral Commission and of the Higher Council of the Congolese audiovisual means; functioning of institutions during the transition period.
CENCO mediates between the majority and the opposition to establish dates and procedures for presidential elections, which were to be held by December 2016 at the expiry of the second and last term of Kabila, and to decide the interim government that will rule the country until the elections.