*Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 *

**Letter to Congressional Leaders on Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Democratic Republic of the Congo **

*October 21, 2016 *

*Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:) *

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the *Federal Register *and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the *Federal Register *for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared in Executive Order 13413 of October 27, 2006, is to continue in effect beyond October 27, 2016.

The situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has been marked by widespread violence and atrocities that continue to threaten regional stability, continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States. For this reason, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13413 with respect to the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Sincerely,

BARACK OBAMA

NOTE: Identical letters were sent to Paul D. Ryan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the Senate.

*Categories:* Communications to Congress : Congo, Democratic Republic of the, U.S. national emergency, message on continuation*.*

*Subjects:* Congo, Democratic Republic of the : Political unrest and violence; Congo, Democratic Republic of the : U.S. national emergency, continuation.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201600718.