Sifelani Tsiko |
The
Congo's Election: Lasting Peace?
The DRC question has no easy answers. A
fragile peace has held since the formal end of the war in 2002.
It is also still striving to recover from the damaging effects of a five year war which claimed the lives of more than 3 million people and displaced millions more. The country is yet to conclude its
first fully democratic polls since independence from Belgium in
1960. A presidential run-off was held on October 29 and with 65 percent of the votes counted, Kabila has so far garnered 60,67 percent of the vote and Bemba 39,33 percent according to election figures compiled on the basis of results from 112 of the country's 169 constituencies by the Independent Electoral Commission. The turnout was 67,4 percent in the 112 constituencies which make up nearly 65 percent the 25 million registered voters. While politician battle it out on the political front, a low level civil war is still raging, flaring up and dying down as United Nations troops seek to maintain peace to this troubled country. The election process has been slow, riddled with many challenges and logistical problems involved in reaching out to the majority of people in the most underdeveloped parts of this vast African country. University of Zimbabwe political analyst Prof Heneri Dzinotyiwei says the DRC elections have taken a long time to be concluded because of the country's 'grossly underdeveloped' infrastructure which has made it difficult for the people to be active participants in this democratic process. "The absence road networks, telecommunication infrastructure and other basic services has crippled the DRC electoral process," he says. "Its difficult to reach the majority of the people in the remote regions of the DRC. This sends an important message to African leaders to do more to serve the interest of the people by building the necessary infrastructure for democracy to take root." Adds Prof Dzinotyiwei: "We can never
build real democracy without uplifting the lives of the majority
of the people." Despite all the logistical challenges for the polls and the time taken to conclude them, political commentators are optimistic that peace will continue to hold and usher in a new era in which an elected government from one party will move to show its competence in running this country. Coalition government are not effective, political analysts say. They say democracy must hold firm in the DRC and losers must accept defeat and pave way for the reconstruction of this vast mineral rich country. "Prospects are still good for peace in the DRC," says a South African-based political commentator. "DRC has come a long way, people are tired of war and political leaders must work hard to promote national interest rather than their own selfish interests." He says the road to democracy in DRC is rocky and Africa must support every step t consolidate peace and stability in this country and give the majority of the poor a chance to lead a normal life. "Violence or war is not an option. Peace is holding in the DRC and this is for the better of the people," says Prof Dzinotyiwei. "The prospects for peace and stability are good and the gains which have been made must consolidated for the good of the people in DRC." Between August 1998 and 2002, a conflict raged with government troops supported by Angola, Zimbabwe and Namibia fighting against rebels backed by Uganda and Rwanda. A peace deal was struck and in 2003 a transitional government was formed. A fragile peace has held since then despite the fact that the eastern regions are still plagued by militia violence. Kabila is expected to win the election because of what analysts say is his commitment to peace and stability, striking strategic political alliances with key opposition leaders and his vision to improve investor confidence and the business environment. More than 1000 international and more than 40 000 Congolese observers are monitoring the polls while some 80 000 policemen, 17 600 UN troops and 1 200 soldiers from the European Union are maintaining security. Violence, war and antagonism will not provide solutions to the problems facing the people in the DRC. Tolerance, common understanding, a shared national vision and commitment to fighting poverty remains key in the long winding road to democracy in the DRC. And a happy ending of the DRC electoral process will be Africa's most important Christmas gift for 2006.
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