Electoral Commissioner of the independent Electoral Commission (CENI) of the democratic Republic of Congo
Director of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation
Your Excellencies, Heads of Missions accredited to the Democratic Republic of Congo and members of the Diplomatic Corps
Election observer missions to the Democratic Republic of Congo
Esteemed members of the of the media
Ladies and Gentlemen
In line with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Principles Governing Democratic Elections, the Independent Electoral Commissioner of the Electoral Commission of the Democratic Republic of Congo (CENI) invited the President of the Republic of South Africa and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation, His Excellency Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, who in turn mandated the SADC Executive Secretary, Dr. Tomaz Salomao, to constitute a SADC Electoral Observer Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo for the Presidential and Legislative Elections on 28 November 2011.
SADC welcomes the invitation by the Democratic Republic of Congo which demonstrates her commitment to the consolidation of democratic processes, as per Article 5 of the SADC Treaty which outlines the objectives of SADC and commits Member States to ‘promote common political values, systems and other shared values which are transmitted through institutions which are democratic, legitimate and effective.
Article 5 of the SADC Treaty further outlines that Member States are committed to ‘consolidate, defend and maintain democracy, peace, security and stability’ in the region. The SADC Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM) is here today in support of this principle and in support of the peoples of this great nation of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On the 28th of November 2011, the Democratic Republic of Congo will be holding its second democratic elections, an historic achievement for this young democracy.
SADC acknowledges the remarkable progress made by the government and the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo in restoring political stability and the reconstruction and development of your country.
I am particularly humbled and honored to have been tasked by the President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, as Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation, to be part of and lead this historic Electoral Observer Mission by SADC during these elections.
Ladies and gentlemen, I speak in this manner because it feels like it was just yesterday when South Africa, through the important community of nations that form SADC, played a critical role of lending support to the government and people of the Democratic Republic of Congo during the watershed vote of 2006.
As a member of Cabinet in the Republic of South Africa presiding over the portfolio of the Department of Home Affairs at the time, we derived much joy as we assisted our sister peoples of the Democratic Republic of Congo set up the administration of their government in particular the Customs and Immigration Services as well as the creation of a population register following a period of difficulty that we all wish never to revisit in the future.
As a member of the very Cabinet I alluded to earlier, I wish to assure the government and peoples of the Democratic Republic of Congo of the continued support of the Republic of South Africa going forward through SADC and the African Union alongside Member States of these critical institutions of democratic governance of continental Africa.
Your Excellencies, Heads of Missions, Electoral Commissioner, People of the Democratic Republic of Congo you have potential for not only your own prosperity but that of SADC, the African continent and our international cooperative partners.
It is therefore our collective responsibilities to ensure that our activities towards the 28th of November and beyond assist the Democratic Republic of Congo to achieve its potential and that we resist any possible setback.
Indeed, this election marks yet another important milestone in the political life of the DRC and the SADC region as a whole. Elections, at regular intervals, are an indispensible marker of progress and entrenchment of democracy in any country in the world.
Without proper nurturing of governance structures through the electoral processes, democracy would indeed collapse.
To this end we honor the people of the DRC for adhering to this principle and to undergo elections which are inclusive and also serve as an indication of participatory governance in line with the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections which calls for the participation of all citizens in the political process.
Your Excellencies, allow me to mention that the SADC region through Member States has made and continues to make significant strides in ensuring the participation of citizens in decision making processes and consolidation of democracy; democratic practice and institutions.
To this end, equal representation and full participation of all citizens in the political processes is embodied and encouraged within the Member States.
The SEOM in cooperation with that of the African Union will undertake its observation in three phases of the electoral process namely; the pre-election, election and post-election stages.
The SADC had undertaken its pre-Assessment Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo to largely inform the state of readiness and deployment of the SEOM. We remain committed and ready to support the people of the DRC as they head to the polls on the 28th of November 2011.
As leader of the SADC Electoral Observer Mission in the DRC, I will be consulting widely at all levels with the major stakeholders to this election that will include political parties, independents, the Electoral Commission, the Police, Civil Society Organisations, Media as well as other international and other relevant stakeholders.
The SADC Electoral Observer Mission will also be attending and observe political party campaigns and rallies amongst other activities. We call upon all that will be participating in this political process to exercise tolerance and restraint as well as resist all provocation that may lead to tensions.
The presence of the SADC Electoral Observer Mission is in support of the delivery of a credible, transparent and legitimate election by the Electoral Commission.
The SADC observer mission also provides a learning opportunity in the conduct of free and fair elections for Member States represented here such that the process is replicated by Member States for the betterment of our region and continent.
We would like to implore the stakeholders in this election to adhere to and respect the rule of law so as to continue with the peace and tranquility that prevails in the DRC and offer the country the opportunity to continue on its journey of reconstruction and development for the betterment of its people and the region at large.
We wish the people of the DRC well as they go through these Presidential and Legislative elections.
Electoral Commissioner, Your Excellencies with these few remarks I wish to announce, on behalf of the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation and President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, that the SADC Electoral Observer Mission to the 28th of November Presidential and Legislative Elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo officially launched.
I thank you.
Statement by the Hon. NN Mapisa-Nqakula – MP, Minister of Correctional Services of the Republic of South Africa and Head of the SADC Electoral Observer Mission (SEOM) to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Grand Hotel, Kinshasa – Democratic Republic of Cong
