The Friends of the Congo delegation is still in the Congo. Polling stations have begun to post results. However, official results are not due until the end of August. Many people were pleased with the relatively peaceful elections. One thing is resoundingly clear, the Congolese want change and an end to the insufferable war.
Unfortunately, the spirit and hope of the Congolese community were not matched by the Congolese leadership and for that matter the leadership of the international community. The elections were structurally flawed from the outset, mainly because the West and corporate powers did their best to tilt the system to favor Kabila and the rebels (See Paule Bouvier and Pierre Englebert article in Foreign Policy for a detailed account of how this was done).
Nonetheless, early results indicate that Bemba and Kabila may be in the October 29 runoff. For all intents and purposes, this is Sun City redux. At Sun City, South Africa during the Inter-Congoelse Dialogue, Europe led by Louis Michel and the United States supported the abortion of the process in a deal where Kabila and Bemba would share power in Kinshasa. A group of democrats lead by Etienne Tshisekedi stood up and said no. They fought this attempt to steal the prospect of peace from the Congolese people. In the end, it appears Louis Michel and the rest of the international community may in fact get their way. The Kabila, Bemba result may be the most palatable result for the Congolese people to maintain peace. Should Kabila outright win in the first round, the country "will go up in flames" said presidential candidate Oscar Kashala. With a Bemba, Kabila runoff, chances are the opposition forces will either rally behind Bemba to bring the Kabila regime to an end or outright protest the results.
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According to Mediacongo.net, some early results are as follows:
Kinshasa
Jean-Pierre Bemba leads with 60 à 80% of the votes followed by Joseph Kabila. Oscar Kashala et Eugène Diomi Ndongala are also well placed. Antoine Gizenga also did well in certain areas of the city.
Bas-Congo
Jean-Pierre Bemba arrive is in the lead, especially in urban areas. In the rural areas Joseph Kabila has a slight lead.
Bandundu
Antoine Gizenga is in the lead followed by Jean-Pierre Bemba.
Equateur
Nzanga Mobutu leads in Equateur, followed by Jean-Bemba and Joseph Kabila.
Kasaï occidental and Oriental
Oscar Kashala is slightly ahead of Jean-Pierre Bemba in the grand Kasaï. Results are still due in because voting was disrupted in Mbuji-Mayi.
Katanga
Joseph Kabila is in the lead in Katanga with about 60% of the vote from Lubumbashi and a little better in rural areas.
South-Kivu, Maniema et North-Kivu
Joseph Kabila has a large lead in the Kivus with 70 to 90% of the votes.
Province Orientale
Joseph Kabila appears to be in the lead in this province.