Congo Elections Unfold Today

The elections began today on time for most of the nearly 64,000 polling stations. The voting has been an overwhelmingly peaceful undertaking. However, there are areas of disturbances, particularly in opposition strongholds. Join us on Twitter @congofriends for the latest updates.

The Final Countdown To Congo’s Elections

Dr. Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja explores a wide range of issues in the lead up to the November 28 elections following his recent article in The Guardian, entitledCongo's Violent Election Countdown Reflects Rejection of Regime. During his interview with Friends of the Congo, Dr. Nzongola engages in a broad exchange that delves into the following issues:

  • A comparison of the 2011 elections with the 2006 polls
  • The idea of Congo as a failed state
  • Whether or not the Independent Electoral Commision (CENI) is independent
  • Who makes up the opposition and the formation of a unified front
  • The role of the international community in the elections
  • The role of Congo's neighbors
  • Who is Etienne Tshisekedi and from whence he draws his support
  • President Joseph Kabila's accomplishments or lack thereof
  • The implications of a one-round vote and the change in Congo's constitution
  • The Prospect of violence in the elections
  • Prospects for development of the Congo
  • The role of Congolese youth in the future of the country

Click here to listen to Dr Nzongola's interview with Kambale Musavuli, spokesperson of Friends of the Congo. Dr Nzongola is the author of "The Congo:From Leopold to Kabila - A People's History." He is as a professor of African and Afro-American Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Visit our website for an overview of the elections, latest news, blog updates, audio and video footage, reports from local and international NGOs, the candidates and their
platforms, background to the elections and key election related dates and events.

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Elections in the Congo: Are We Headed For An Unmitigated Disaster

One thing that is clear regarding the November 28th elections in the Congo, is that the country is not prepared to hold the election on this date. Local and International NGOs have issued reports regarding the need to delay the elections so that they can be better organized. As late as a few days before the elections, word is still seeping out that the elections may be delayed or be spread over two days instead of one, however, the President of the Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) remains resolute that there will be no delay and the elections will take place without a hitch on Monday, November 28th.

In spite of the logisitical nightmare that awaits Congolese voters on Monday, the most volatile charges have been made by the opposition political parties. They claim that the CENI has
instituted a lot of fictional polling stations. They claim that polling stations have been placed on the map in places that do not exist and in some cases have been even placed in the offices of political parties, should one go by the electoral maps published by the CENI. The opposition has demanded from the outset an audit of the polling stations. Although CENI has published an electoral map, an audit has not been done and it is too late to do so. Nonetheless, Radio Okapi, the United Nations funded radio station took it upon itself to investiagte some of the fictional polling stations that the oppositon parties have accused the CENI of having produced.

Based on a limited investigation, Radio Okapi has confirmed the nonexistence of several polling stations, 107 fictitious polling stations just in one commune (Selembao) of Kinshasa, which has 24 communes. Radio Okapi also discovered that a number of the addresses published on the CENI's map does not exist at all. In some instances, the locations listed on the CENI electoral map are inaccessible and in other centers the electoral lists are missing.

Much can be said about the upcoming elections but one thing is certain, all the ingredients are in place for a grand mess. One only hopes that the contestations that are certain to come do not descend into all out violence.

Click here to learn more about the elections!

Electoral Commission Says Logistics For the Elections Will be Completed by November 26th

Daniel Ngoy, President of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) affirmed that the 180,000 ballot boxes were almost all delivered to the 62,000 polling stations. In order to acclerate the process to have all the boxes and ballots delivered in advance of the elections, the CENI has rented 30 helicopters and a dozen air crafts. Angola has offered to provide support with helicopters as well.

The delivery of the 64 million ballots is the main concern for the CENI. South Africa is supposed to deliver the last shipment today. Once the shipment arrives from South Africa, the ballots will then have to be distributed throughout the country.

The President of the CENI has assured the Congolese people that all will be in place and ready to go by November 26th, two days before the polls open for voting on November 28th.

Click here to find out more about the elections!

Whither The Women of the Congo

Beyond any doubt the women of the Congo have been the primary victims of the instability and conflict that the country has experienced for the past 15 years. Congolese women have been striving to overcome remarkable hardships and tremendous suffering. Probably more than any sector of the Congolese society, the women seek fundamental a radical change. However, as we embark upon the November 28th elections, women appear to have been sidelined. Unlike 2006, no women are represented among the 11 candidates. Overall, there is a 20% drop in the participation of female candidates and a 12% drop in the female electorate.

Although, there has been a decrease in the participation of women in the elections, this does not mean that women are absent from the effort to assure a peaceful and fair election. On October 18th, the women of the Great Lakes Sub-Region issued a declaration that called for preventive diplomacy with the objective of realizing durable peace and security before, during and after the elections.

The women representing Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Congo called on the Congolese government to pay special attention to the role of women in the electoral process. Regarding the international community, they requested the establishment of an election monitoring system in the subregion as well as support for women in the electoral process.

Read more about elections!

UK MP Eric Joyce Says Congo Loses $5.5 Billion Due to Shady Deals

Bloomberg news has reported that Congolese President in cahoots with Israeli businessman Dan Gertler have fleeced the Congolese people of $5.5 billion.

“Elements of the DRC government, in particular the current president, Joseph Kabila, have sold vast mining assets at knock-down prices to various offshore ‘shell’ companies,” Joyce said,citing documents in his possession.

State-owned Congolese copper and cobalt miner Gecamines sold its 20 percent stake in Glencore-operated Mutanda Mining Sprl to Rowny Assets Ltd., an entity “associated” with Israeli mining investor Dan Gertler, according to Glencore’s May prospectus. Biko Invest Corp., another Gertler-linked entity, bought a quarter of neighboring Kansuki Sprl, it said.

Gecamines said it received $137 million for the two stakes, while Mutanda alone may be worth more than $800 million, according to calculations using a valuation conducted by consulting firm Golder Associates in Glencore’s prospectus.

Click here to read press release from British MP Eric Joyce!

Etienne Tshisekedi Shares His Platform

Leading opposition figure, Etienne Tshisekedi of the UDPS vowed that he would respect the election results or the will of the people provided that the process is free, transparent and equal.

He reiterated that the only way to ascend to power in the Congo is through elections. The democracy that he and his party have fought for over the last 30 years does not support another way of acquiring to power

Tshisekedi laid out his SEVEN point program as follows:
1. Free education for primary, secondary and university students
2. Free health care for citizens over the age of 50
3. Access to water and electricity
4. Building of roads
5. Relaunching of Agriculture
6. Tackle unemployment
7. Fight against corruption

Click here to read more about the elections.

Congo Elections: Voices of the People

Between scholars, artists, pastors and politicians who actually determines the leading power in the DRC? Pandisha bendera is a powerful reflection on the implications of clashing social factions in the process of negotiating 'democratic' elections...

Congo Week IV, October 16 – 22, Join The Global Movement

Dear Friends,

I greet you in the name of the Congolese youth who feel the wind of change in Africa that blew from the youth revolution in Soweto in 1976 in the South to the streets of Cairo this year in the North of the African continent.

As we embark upon the fourth annual Breaking The Silence: Congo Week, October 16 – 22, 2011, I wanted bring you up-to-date on the global movement in support of the Congo.

Congo Week continues to grow both inside and outside of the Congo as people throughout the globe utilize Congo Week to articulate the challenges and potential that exist in the heart of Africa. Since we launched Congo Week in October 2008, over 60 countries and 300 university campuses and communities have joined us in the global call for justice for the people of Congo. Over 200 Congolese organizations reiterated the global appeal for justice, accountability and an end to the impunity by calling for international action on the recommendations of the United Nations Mapping Exercise Report.

Your role in Breaking the Silence by demanding justice for the people is making a difference. More people are becoming informed, educated and engaged. Your actions, no matter how small, are strengthening the resolve of the youth and others inside the Congo who are waging a courageous fight, day and night to bring about peace, stability and human dignity. Knowing that they have the support of people of goodwill throughout the globe makes a tremendous difference.

The key teaching tool for Congo Week IV is Friends of the Congo's short documentary, "Crisis in the Congo: Uncovering the Truth." Since its launch over 100,000 people have viewed the film on YouTube and over 1,000 people have downloaded it to view or screen in their homes and communities. Youth throughout the Congo are using the film as a teaching tool during Congo Week; we encourage you to do the same by downloading the film here: http://congojustice.org

The youth of the Congo who represent the majority of the people are encouraging you to continue to support our fight for justice and human dignity. In the past year, youth groups we support have made great strides in strengthening their capacity in their quest to bring about peace and stability in the Congo. We encourage you to participate in our special contest to support the youth of the Congo and their pursuit for social change. http://congoweek.org/congo-week-fundraiser.html

Key Organizers in Japan, Australia, France, Kenya, South Africa, Brazil, Ireland, Italy, United Kingdom, Canada, The United States and many other countries are joining with our partners inside the Congo to call for justice for the people. Organize or participate in an event or activity for Congo Week on your university campus, in your home, religious institution, community center or any other venue in your community. Should you be in New York during Congo Week, join us for Congo in Harlem – a week of film screenings, performances, panel discussions, exhibitions, tributes and special events highlighting Congolese cultures and its people’s contribution to the global community. http://congoinharlem.org

This is an historic opportunity for you to be a part of the global movement to bring an end to what is the greatest humanitarian crisis at the dawn of the 21st century and the deadliest conflict since World War Two. Seize the moment and become a part of a noble pursuit for justice and human dignity in the heart of Africa, my home, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kambale Musavuli
Student Coordinator
Friends of the Congo

Remember to post your event on the events calendar:
http://congoweek.org/component/events/

Share the Congo Week promotional video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0AWeWvMkHk

Sign-up for Congo Week!
http://congoweek.org/participation-form.html

Download Congo Week Organizers Tool Kit and Materials:
http://congoweek.org/downloads.html

Support the Congo Week Benefit Concert:
http://www.congoweek.org/congo-week-benefit-concert.html

Participate in the CELL-OUT, on October 21, 2011. The CELL-OUT is a digital moment of silence for the people of the Congo and the usage of our cell phones to mobilize support for the people in their pursuit for social change.
http://congoweek.org/the-cell-out.html