M George on Democratic Republic of Congo elections

31 October 2006

1. Introduction

It is my pleasure, as the leader of the South African Observer Mission
(SAOM), to release the mission's interim statement on 29 October 2006
Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) presidential run off and provincial
elections. This statement covers the period from 13 October until 31 October
2006, however, the mission will continue to observe the counting and capturing
of election results.

Following an invitation by the Electoral Commission (CEI) of the DRC, South
Africa deployed a 108-member observer mission to observe the second round of
the presidential and provincial elections in the DRC. The SAOM was multi
sectoral in its composition, consisting of members of Parliament, government
officials and civil society organisations. South Africa's deployment of the
observer mission comes within the context of her principled commitment to the
African Agenda, peace, security and development.

The main contingent of the SAOM arrived in the DRC on 22 October 2006 while
a few observers had arrived on 11 October 2006. The South African observers
were deployed in all eleven provinces of the DRC with an average of three teams
in each province. The deployment in all the eleven provinces provided the
mission with a general sense of what was taking place in the entire country.
The mission is thus able to confidently comment on these elections.

The SAOM concludes that 29 October 2006 presidential runoff and provincial
elections were conducted in a climate conducive for a democratic expression of
the will of the people of the DRC. Under very difficult conditions, logistical
challenges and limited resources, CEI has once again managed to organise
successful elections.

The mission was weary of the security situation in the country after the
violent clashes that followed the announcement of the first round presidential
results. However, the agreements signed between the two presidential
candidates, President Kabila and Vice-President Bemba sought to diffuse the
tense situation following the August clashes.

2. Election process

The second round of the presidential elections in the DRC was organised as
per Article 71 of the country's new Constitution and Article 114 of the
electoral law that stipulate that should there be no clear winner with 51
percent of the votes on the first round of presidential elections, a second
round should be organised between the top two presidential candidates.

South African observers noted that the voters' roll was made available at
the polling centres for inspection. Before the election day, many voters went
to check their names on the roll. The SAOM noted that voters whose names did
not appear on the roll were assisted by the CEI. Those who lost their voting
cards were issued with duplicate cards.

Under very difficult conditions, logistical challenges and limited resources
the CEI staff members displayed a high degree of professionalism, independence
and impartiality. The CEI remarkably managed to deliver the election material
at all polling stations in this vast country.

The SAOM noted the important contribution of the international community in
assisting the CEI accomplish some of its objectives.

Freedom of expression remains one of the critical tools used as a yardstick
to measure a countries adherence to principles of good governance. The election
process in the DRC received extensive coverage in the country's media.

The Media Regulator Authority (MRA), in consultation with the CEI, was to a
greater extent able to ensure that the media adhered to the code of
conduct.

The election campaign process proceeded in a relatively peaceful
environment. Political candidates were able to conduct their election
campaigns. Political rallies were well attended and in most cases went without
incident.

The SAOM noted with regret that lives were lost during isolated incidents of
violence. While this was tragic the election campaigns in general proceeded
peacefully and voters were not deterred from going to voting stations on
election day.

Civic and voter education form a critical part in creating an environment
conducive to holding credible and democratic elections. According to the
electoral law, the CEI is responsible for the implementation and co-ordination
of voter and civic education campaigns.

The SAOM noted evidence of an effective voter education campaign conducted
in a multi-faceted fashion which drew in governmental, non-governmental and
political party resources and networks. The SAOM noted the important role
played by radio in the education programmes. This helped many people who do not
have access to televisions and newspapers. The mission noted that the
electorate was reasonably informed and had a good sense of where their polling
stations would be located and how to vote.

The SAOM commends CEI, political parties, civil society and non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) that conducted voter education. Civic education plays an
important role in raising public awareness, confidence and legitimacy of the
electoral process.

3. Election day

On the election day, voting took place in all 11 provinces in about 50 000
polling stations. The majority of the voting stations opened on time with a few
exceptions where they could not open due to a number of problems including
heavy rain, lack of electricity and late delivery of election material. In
general voting proceeded smoothly in the presence of party agents and both
national and international election observers. Even where the polling stations
did not open on time, the voting process, as required by the electoral law was
allowed to continue beyond the stipulated time to make up for the late
start.

The SAOM did not observe any major incidents of irregularities with the
voting process. On the contrary, election day was marked by a general
atmosphere of calm. Voters patiently stood in queues waiting to cast their
votes.

The SAOM noted a few incidents of violence in Bumba in the Equateur Province
where two people were reported to have died following clashes between
supporters of two political parties. This resulted in the suspension of voting
in the area. The elections in this area are scheduled to be conducted on 31
October 2006. The SAOM hopes that appropriate security measures will be put in
place to ensure that the elections in the affected area take place in a
conducive environment. The mission further calls on all the political parties
involved to reign on their supporters.

The mission also noted with great concern an incident in Ituri District
where two CEI staff members are reported to have been killed and eight people
injured.

The SAOM views these incidents in a serious light and regrets the loss of
life.

The mission commends CEI for the professional and impartial manner in which
it conducted and managed these elections, thereby creating space for voters to
express their choices freely and without fear of intimidation.

The mission further commends the national police (PNC) for securing the
elections and promptly intervened when required.

The SAOM commends the two presidential candidates for signing a joint appeal
and declaration committing themselves to peaceful process and accepting the
results of the elections.

4. Conclusions/observations

The SAOM wishes to thank CEI and the people of the DRC for the opportunity
afforded to South Africa to observe these historic elections.

The SAOM observed that during these elections the people of the DRC were
provided with a platform to freely elect representatives of their choice.
Voting took place in a reasonably peaceful environment and electoral officers
performed their tasks impartially and professionally.

The SAOM applauds the people of Congo for turning up in large numbers to
elect their leaders thus demonstrating their quest for peace, national
independence, national unity and reconciliation, democracy, human rights and
development.

The SAOM commends the candidates in the presidential run off for observing
the electoral code of conduct and encouraging their supporters and coalition
partners to adhere to this code.

The SAOM is optimistic that the Congolese political leadership will honour
the recent agreements entered into in the interest of taking the country
forward to sustainable peace, stability and economic development.

The SAOM commends the South African Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
for deploying its experts throughout the country to assist its DRC sister
commission to execute its mandate.

The SAOM notes the important contribution of the international community,
particularly United Nations Organisation Mission in the DRC (MONUC), in
assisting CEI conduct these elections.

The SAOM further calls on the international community to continue to support
the people of Congo as they embark on post electoral reconstruction and
development.

The SAOM concludes that the DRC's presidential and provincial elections were
democratic, peaceful, credible and transparent. The mission is of the view that
space was created for the people of the DRC to freely choose their leaders. The
challenge now facing the political leaders is to ensure that reconstruction of
the country takes place for the betterment of the lives of all Congolese.

It is our belief that through these elections, the DRC has opened a new
chapter in its history and it is a privilege to have been part of this new
beginning.

May this great nation of Congo experience peace and prosperity!

Thank you very much.

Contact:
Vincent Hlongwane
Spokesperson for the SAOM in the DRC
Cell: 082 385 1169

Issued by: Department of Defence
31 October 2006