The European Union is set to deploy its observers to the DRC for the general elections of November 20, 2023.

"We are a team of experts, who have been here since November 6. We have a team of long-term observers. 42 will be deployed in the coming days, and closer to the election, we will have short-term observers, totaling twelve," announced MEP Malin BJÖRK after a meeting on Monday, November 21 with the president of the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), Denis Kadima.

Malin BJÖRK, who led a delegation from the European Union Election Observation Mission to the president of the CENI, informed him of the deployment of these observers across all the provinces of the DRC. She added that seven European deputies are also expected in Kinshasa. Electoral and political experts as well as media who are working on the ground in Kinshasa will also travel to various regions, she said, noting the support of the diplomatic corps, European embassies, and other staff, who will also be part of the observation on election day.

She thanked the CENI for its invitation to come support and observe the elections, "which should be practical, inclusive, and transparent," she hoped.

However, Malin BJÖRK acknowledged, the CENI is a key actor in ensuring that the electoral process is conducted under the best conditions.

Boni Tsala