M George on Democratic Republic of Congo's second round presidential and
provincial elections

21 November 2006

It is my pleasure, as the leader of the South African Observer Mission
(SAOM), to release the Mission's final statement on 29 October 2006 Democratic
Republic of Congo's presidential runoff and provincial elections. This
statement covers the period from 13 October until the official announcement of
the provisional presidential election results, 15 November 2006. We do note
though that the final presidential results have yet to be verified by the
country's Supreme Court. We further note that the capturing of the provincial
election results is still to be finalised.

At the invitation of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) of the DRC,
and considering the importance of these elections and South Africa's heavy
involvement in the peace and transitional process in the DRC, South Africa
decided to deploy a 108 member observer mission to observe the second round of
the presidential runoff and provincial elections. This Mission is, by far, the
largest electoral observer team ever deployed by South Africa. In these
elections, the SAOM was the largest observer mission from an individual
country.

The SAOM was multisectoral 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 renewal, peace, security and development
on the continent.

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 country and thus
enabled the Mission to comment confidently on these elections. The last group
of the South African observers returned to South Africa on 10 November having
observed the last stages of the results' capturing.

The SAOM conducted its observation according to the Principles for Election
Management, Monitoring and Observation in the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) together with other internationally accepted election
observation guidelines.

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 helped to diffuse the
tense situation following the August clashes.

Under very difficult conditions, logistical challenges and limited
resources, the DRC has, once again, managed to organise successful
elections.

The SAOM notes the official release of the provisional presidential election
results showing President Joseph Kabila winning the elections by 58,05% against
Vice President Bemba's 41,95%.

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 and therefore, calls on all Congolese to
accept the outcome of the elections. The Mission notes that Vice President
Bemba has made a submission to the Supreme Court challenging the results. The
Mission would then expect Vice President Bemba and his supporters to abide by
the decision of the Supreme Court as and when such a decision is made on the
results.

The SAOM notes with great appreciation the calm manner in which the ordinary
Congolese seem to have welcomed the release of the provisional presidential
election results. The SAOM believes that the people of Congo have suffered
enough over the years and deserve peace and stability in their motherland.

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 which stipulate that should there be no clear winner with 51% of
the votes on the first round of presidential elections, a second round should
be organised between the top two presidential candidates.

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

South African observers noted that the voters' roll was made available at
the polling centres for inspection. Before the Election Day, many voters took
advantage of this and 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, almost the size
of Western Europe.

The SAOM noted the important contribution of the international community in
assisting the CEI organise and prepare for these elections.

Freedom of expression remains one of the critical tools used as a yardstick
to measure a country's adherence to principles of good governance. The election
process in the DRC received extensive coverage in the country's media. The High
Media Authority, in consultation with the CEI, was to a greater extent able to
ensure that the media adhered to the code of conduct.

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 parties' 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 that conducted voter education. Civic education plays an
important role in raising public awareness, confidence and legitimacy of the
electoral process.

Election Day

On the Election Day, voting took place in all eleven provinces at 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 rains, lack of electricity and late delivery of election material. In
general, voting proceeded smoothly in the presence of party agents and
observers, both national and international. 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, except a few minor incidents. 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, however, 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. Voting in this area was successfully
conducted on 31 October 2006. The SAOM noted that appropriate security measures
were put in place to ensure that voting in the affected area took place in a
conducive environment. The Mission further noted that the political parties
involved had called on their supporters to behave and to remain calm.

The Mission also noted with great concern an incident at Fataki in Ituri
District where two CEI staff members were reported to have been killed and
eight people injured. A revote had to be organised in the area and was
conducted on 2 November. The Mission noted that action was immediately taken
against those involved.

The SAOM views these incidents in a serious light and regrets the loss of
life. These isolated incidents, regrettable as they were, did not have any
material effect on the conduct of the elections.

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 SAOM noted
that electoral officers seemed better prepared and mastered the voting and
counting procedures; obviously benefited from the experience of the 1st round
of elections.

The results compilation and verification process was remarkably transparent.
Party agents representing political parties and independent candidates were
present all the time. National and international observers were allowed to
observe and monitor the process. Journalists were given unrestricted access to
the compilation centres. Some used media-recording devices such as video
cameras to record the process.

It is the view of the Mission that the unrestricted access and openness of
the process at the results centres indicated a high level of transparency.

The Mission is of the view that this unrestricted access by the media, party
agents and observers assisted in improving the confidence and legitimacy in the
process.

The SAOM commends the South African Independent Electoral Commission for
deploying its experts throughout the country to assist its DRC sister
Commission to organise these historic elections.

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

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

The SAOM commends the two presidential candidates for signing a Joint Appeal
and Declaration committing themselves to a peaceful electoral process and
accepting the results of the elections.

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
democratically 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 runoff 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 two candidates and their supporters will
honour the recent agreements entered into, in the interest of taking the
country forward to sustainable peace, stability and economic development. By
these agreements, the two candidates committed themselves to a peaceful
electoral process and most importantly, to accepting the outcome of the
elections.

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

The SAOM concludes that the DRC's presidential and provincial elections were
democratic, peaceful, credible and remarkably transparent. The Mission is of
the view that space was created for the people of the DRC to freely choose
their representative leaders.

The SAOM thus calls on the people of Congo to accept the outcome of the
elections. The Mission notes that Vice President Bemba has made a submission to
the Supreme Court challenging the results. The Mission would then expect Vice
President Bemba and his supporters to abide by the decision of the Supreme
Court, as and when such a decision is made on the results. The Mission further
calls on the Congolese political leadership to work together as they begin to
deal with huge challenges that face the country.

The SAOM believes that through these elections, the DRC has opened a new
chapter in its history and it has been a privilege to have been part of this
new beginning. South Africa, for about ten years, has had the opportunity to
work in solidarity with the people of Congo to restore peace, national unity
and democracy to this great country. Guided by her commitment to the African
renewal, peace, security and development, South Africa will continue to travel
with the people of Congo as they embark on a new road, a road to peace,
economic development and prosperity.

May this great nation of Congo experience peace and prosperity

Thank you very much.

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
21 November 2006