Statement by the Leader of the South African Observer Mission, Mr Mluleki George, Deputy Minister of Defence, releasing the final report of the South African Observer Mission on the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 30 July 2006 Presidential and Legislative Elections, Cape Town, 7 September 2006.

Cape Town, 7 September 2006

1. INTRODUCTION

As the leader of the South African Observer Mission (SAOM), it is my pleasure to release the final report of the South African Observer Mission on the 30 July 2006 DRC’s presidential and legislative elections. This report covers the period from 19 July until the official announcement of the provisional presidential results, i.e. 20 August 2006. The SAOM notes though that the final presidential results have yet to be announced while the capturing of the legislative results is still to be finalised.

Following an invitation by the Independent Electoral Commission of the DRC, South Africa deployed a 108-member national observer mission to observe the 30 July 2006 DRC’s presidential and legislative elections. The SAOM was multi-sectoral in its composition, consisting of Members of Parliament (MPs), government officials, religious groups as well as civil society organisations. I had the honour to lead the Mission.

Members of the SAOM arrived in the DRC on 19 July 2006 and observed all the phases of the elections. The South African observers were deployed in all eleven provinces of the DRC with an average of three teams in each province.

Considering the background of civil strife and autocratic rule, which marked most of the country’s history since independence, infrastructure challenges and the fact that these elections were the first democratic elections in forty years, the 30 July 2006 DRC’s presidential and legislative elections were a remarkable achievement and success.

The SAOM noted the announcement of the provisional presidential results on 20 August. As no candidate managed to receive the required majority for an outright win, thus the top two presidential candidates, President Joseph Kabila and Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba will contest the presidential run-off that is scheduled for 29 October 2006.

2. ELECTION PROCESS

The election process proceeded in a relatively peaceful environment. Political candidates were able to conduct their election campaigns without interference.

The SAOM noted with regret that some lives were lost during isolated incidents of violence. While this was tragic, the election process, in general, proceeded peacefully.

On the Election Day, voting took place in all the eleven provinces of the country in about 50 000 polling stations. The majority of voting stations opened on time with a few exceptions where stations opened late due to a number of problems including lack of electricity and late delivery of election material. In general, voting proceeded smoothly in the presence of party agents and national and international election observers.

The SAOM also noted cases where ballot boxes, due to the size of some of the ballot papers, filled up quickly. Additional ballot boxes were however supplied timeously. This did not have any material impact on the voting process.

The SAOM did not observe any 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 sense of excitement on the part of the voters. Remembering their own first democratic General Elections in South Africa in 1994, the SAOM could not but share the excitement and a sense of relief of the people of Congo.

The Mission commends the DRC Election Commission (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.

3. COUNTING PROCESS

The results compilation and verification process was very transparent. Party agents representing political parties and independent candidates were present all the time. Cell phones were allowed inside the premises. Journalists were given unrestricted access to the centre. 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 that is not common in other countries.

The Mission is of the view that this unrestricted access of the media, party agents and observers has assisted in improving the confidence and legitimacy in the process and reducing the likelihood of tempering with the data.

The SAOM noted the important contribution of the international community, particularly MONUC, in assisting the CEI conduct these elections.

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

4. RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 Non payment of CEI staff

The SAOM noted the complaints by some CEI staff members who alleged that they had not been paid their wages for the December 2005 Constitutional Referendum.

The Mission noted that despite these complaints CEI officials were still prepared to make their services available for the general good of the country. Their level of professionalism and dedication was remarkable.

In this regard, the SAOM recommends that the CEI need to ensure early payment of the wages of its staff members throughout the country. The SAOM notes that if this is not done on time, it has a potential to negatively affect future elections including the upcoming second round of the presidential and provincial elections.

4.2 Civic and voter education

The SAOM noted that the CEI had managed to conduct civic and voter education resulting in an informed electorate. Voter education is a critical part of a democratic process as it provides public confidence, awareness and legitimacy in the electoral process.

In view of the upcoming presidential run-off and the provincial elections, the SAOM recommends that the CEI should continue with its civic and voter education. In this regard, the SAOM urges the international community to continue to support the CEI technically and financially.

5. CONCLUSIONS/OBSERVATIONS

The SAOM wishes to thank the CEI and the people of the DRC for the opportunity to have been invited 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 admirably.

Taking advantage of these elections, the first in forty years, the people of Congo turned up in large numbers to choose their leaders, hoping for peace, national independence, national unity and reconciliation, democracy, human rights and development.

The SAOM noted with great appreciation the calm manner in which the ordinary Congolese have welcomed the provisional presidential results.

The SAOM noted with regret the violent clashes that erupted in the capital of the DRC, Kinshasa following the release of the provisional presidential results. The Mission deeply regrets the loss of life as result of the clashes.

The SAOM urges the candidates in the presidential runoff to demonstrate a high sense of responsibility, put an end to the escalation of hostilities in the country and create conditions conducive for the successful conclusion of the electoral process. In this regard, the candidates to the presidential runoff would need to agree to a code of conduct.

The SAOM is confident though that the Congolese political leadership will build on the successful first round of the presidential and legislative elections and take the country forward to lasting peace, stability and economic development.

The SAOM further calls on the international community to continue to support the people of Congo as they prepare for the second round of the presidential and provincial elections scheduled for 29 October 2006.

The SAOM concludes that the DRC’s presidential and legislative 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 leaders. The challenge now facing the leaders is to ensure reconstruction of the country for the betterment of the lives of the Congolese.

Thank you very much.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

℅ Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
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6 September 2006