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b'The presidential election first scheduled for 2016 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and then for 2017 never took place. The election is now scheduled to take place on December 23, 2018. The Prime Minister has said that President Kabila will not run again, and he will abide by the constitutional limits. The delayed elections spurred anti-Kabila marches and protests, led by laity of the Catholic Church and youth activists. The government has cracked down on this opposition, harassing, arbitrarily arresting, detaining, injuring, and killing protestors. Many still remain in detention despite increasing health problems. The panelists examined the way forward for the DRC and the role opposition leaders, youth activists, the Catholic Church, and duly-elected officials can play in strengthening civil society.\\n \\nSpeakers:\\nH.E. Ambassador Fran\\xe7ois Nkuna Balumuene, The Democratic Republic of the Congo Ambassador to the United States--Invited\\nTatiana Carayannis, Director of the Social Science Research Council\\u2019s Understanding Violent Conflict Research Initiative and convener of the DRC Affinity Group\\nSasha Lezhnev, Deputy Director of Policy at the Enough Project\\nKambale Musavuli, Human Rights Activist and Spokesperson for Friends of the Congo\\n\\nModerator: \\nElizabeth Barad, Esq., International Law and Gender Consultant\\n\\nSponsoring Association Committee:\\nAfrican Affairs Committee, Victoria Safran, Chair\\n \\nCo-Sponsoring Association Committees:\\nUnited Nations Committee, Simon O\\u2019Connor, Chair\\nCouncil on International Affairs Committee, Michael D. Cooper, Chair\\nInternational Human Rights Committee, Lauren Melkus, Chair\\n\\nCo-Sponsoring Organization:\\nCyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, Alexander Papachristou, Executive Director'