Media Statement: The Leader of the South African Observer Mission to the DRC confident about the 30 July Elections in the DRC

Kinshasa - The leader of the South African Observer Mission (SAOM) to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Deputy Defence Minister Mluleki George, has expressed confidence that the 30 July 2006 Presidential and Parliamentary elections will take place as scheduled.

As election campaigning comes to a close, the mood in the DRC has been that of enthusiasm and anticipation in spite of sporadic disruptive incidents that have been reported in some parts of the country.

The DRC Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) continued this week to intensify its voter education activities in order to get the citizens ready for polling day. They have also confirmed that all voting material, including ballot papers, have been received and ready for use.

Deputy Defence Minister, Mluleki George has on Friday 28 July 2006 - the final day of campaigning by all political parties - paid special tribute to all South Africans who have collectively and individually volunteered their time and expertise in helping the Congolese people hold their first democratic elections in over forty years.

Deputy Minister Mluleki George is currently leading the SAOM to the DRC. The SAOM is stationed in the DRC until 4 August 2006 to observe all phases of the elections, including election campaigns, the voting process and the counting of votes. They are deployed in all the eleven (11) provinces in the DRC.

Ends

Enquiries: Vincent Hlongwane on +27 82 385 1169
Sam Mkhwanazi on +27 83 628 0858
Lindo Nkomonde on +27 82 875 9631

Issued by the South African Observer Mission

c/o South African Embassy in the DRC
77 Ngongo Lutete Avenue
Gombe, Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of Congo

28 July 2006