President Joseph Kabila

The United States Government, on Tuesday said that it was reviewing the possibility of imposing sanctions in response to the growing repression in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The U.S. Department of State said in a statement that the government was concerned with the high level of intimidation, harassment and detention of members of the opposition in the DRC.

The statement also said that the U.S. Government was concerned over the intimidation, harassment and detention of civil society leaders in the country.

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“The United States is reviewing the possibility of imposing sanctions in response to this growing pattern of repression in the DRC.

“The United States is concerned about a growing pattern of intimidation, harassment, and detention of members of the opposition and civil society leaders across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“A government cannot call for dialogue among all stakeholders while simultaneously harassing, arresting, and jailing those individuals expected to participate in the consultations,’’ it said.

The statement said that the U.S. had called for an end to violence in the country, and that it was important for all sides to participate in credible dialogue.

It said that the DRC government had the obligation to protect its citizens’ rights to take part in public affairs, exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.