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South African Observer Mission (SAOM), Statement by the Leader
of the Mission, Mr Mluleki George, Deputy Minister of Defence, on the Democratic
Republic of Congo's 29 October 2006 2nd Round Presidential Elections and Provincial
Elections, Pretoria, 21 November 2006 1. INTRODUCTION It is
my pleasure, as the leader of the South African Observer Mission (SAOM), to release
the Mission's final statement on the 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 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 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. 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 which
stipulate that should there be no clear winner with 51% of the votes on the 1st
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 coordination 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. 3. Election Day On the
Election Day, voting took place in all eleven 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 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 re-vote
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 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
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
MONUC, in assisting CEI conduct these elections. 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 electoral 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 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
Private Bag
X152
Pretoria
0001 21 November 2006 | 
