Gazing in the Congo (DRC): the dark heart of Africa (2006-2017)

[M-A Lagrange]

“We are deeply troubled by today’s ruling by the Congolese Supreme Court, which confirmed the results of the Congolese election commission despite widespread reports of irregularities. This was clearly not a well-run election, as reported by observers from the European Union, Carter Center, and Congolese Catholic Church. Congolese authorities must engage in a thorough and transparent review of the results that will shed light on whether irregularities were caused by a lack of organization or fraud, and the United States stands ready to provide technical assistance for such a review.
"We are increasingly concerned that the election irregularities are a setback for already weak systems of governance in Congo, and may further destabilize the DRC and lead to an escalation of violence. All sides should engage in dialogue about next steps and consider establishing a formal mediation process with the support of the international community. Wecall on President Kabila to direct his security forces to protect the Congolese people, and work with Mr. Tshisekedi to resolve their disagreements in a way that will restore credibility to the process. The U.S. stands with the Congolese people in their attempt to advance democracy and hope it can be achieved peacefully.”

http://coons.senate.gov/newsroom/rel...ection-results

[Stan]

Tshisekedi orders army to disobey Kabila

With the presidential inauguration literally taking place opposition leader Tshisekedi claims he will hold his inauguration on Friday. This will be his second go at this

International figures are keen to point out that this time around the West is screaming fowl play (while back in 2006 they backed the presidential candidate). More interesting are the local papers indicating that the Congolese just want to get it over with and move on.

[M-A Lagrange]

Tshisekedi orders army to disobey Kabila

With the presidential inauguration literally taking place opposition leader Tshisekedi claims he will hold his inauguration on Friday. This will be his second go at this

International figures are keen to point out that this time around the West is screaming fowl play (while back in 2006 they backed the presidential candidate). More interesting are the local papers indicating that the Congolese just want to get it over with and move on.

Well the problem is no more the presidential election. Now legislative results are coming and frauds appear to be even bigger than for presidential elections. Legislative elections are more problematic because it is local and population is already not accepting the frauds. Several CENI employees have been arrested.
Fraudulent presidential election followed by fraudulent legislative elections... equal recepy for a disaster in the mid run.

[KingJaja]

Well the problem is no more the presidential election. Now legislative results are coming and frauds appear to be even bigger than for presidential elections. Legislative elections are more problematic because it is local and population is already not accepting the frauds. Several CENI employees have been arrested.
Fraudulent presidential election followed by fraudulent legislative elections... equal recepy for a disaster in the mid run.

The problem is the credibility of democracy in Africa. We had the first round of democratisation in the early sixties (after independence), it gave birth to the likes of Obote and collapsed like a pack of cards. We tried military intervention, which gave rise to monsters like Idi Amin and kleptocrats like Mobutu and Abacha. Now we are back to democracy, and we are not making much progress.

We are going to try something we haven't tried before - the re-partition of artificial colonial boundaries to reflect ethnic realities. It is inevitable and may result in the shedding of a lot of blood, but it will be the major African story this century.

A few western thinkers like Thomas Barnett have accepted that this is inevitable. However most of the rest are in denial.

Mark my words.

[Yurii_K]

Dear all,
I think that DRC anyway made a huge step forward. Even if there are some (a lot of) discrepancies and irregularities during the election process there would have been such things anyway if they do right or wrong during the preparation of elections. The main goal is achieved – the election is over and there is no country which would protest it. Otherwise they (other countries) could not perform better in the same conditions themselves.
Also another goal achieved – there is no war in DRC. The commanders of regiments left were they are and there is no change of power. Though the picture could alter a little bit after the parliament election result will be announced. Let’s see.

[M-A Lagrange]

I think that DRC anyway made a huge step forward. Even if there are some (a lot of) discrepancies and irregularities during the election process there would have been such things anyway if they do right or wrong during the preparation of elections. The main goal is achieved – the election is over and there is no country which would protest it. Otherwise they (other countries) could not perform better in the same conditions themselves.
Also another goal achieved – there is no war in DRC. The commanders of regiments left were they are and there is no change of power. Though the picture could alter a little bit after the parliament election result will be announced. Let’s see.

Hopefully US are not following your advise and are sending electoral experts to review the presidential and legislative elections out come.
IMF already deceided to stop funding DRC because of those fraudulent elections. An interresting move, coming from such a conservative institution.

There is may be no full scale war in DRC yet but there are already a lot of small scale fights in the East between FDLR and Mayi-Mayi or FARDC. Time will tell but the story will not be nice and peacefull.

[Stan]

There is may be no full scale war in DRC yet but there are already a lot of small scale fights in the East between FDLR and Mayi-Mayi or FARDC. Time will tell but the story will not be nice and peacefull.

Indeed, M-A, and not humanely.

Rwandan Rebels Kill Dozens of Civilians The Rwandan rebel group, Forces dmocratiques pour la libration du Rwanda (FDLR), killed 39 people on Monday and Tuesday in the Shabunda region of South Kivu, human rights groups have told Radio Okapi.

The groups reported that 30 people were killed in Luyuyu, among them a pregnant woman whose stomach was hacked open and her baby removed.

Eight were killed in Ngolombe and the village head of Kishenya was decapitated. Then depot of the aid agency, Action Solidarit, was also vandalized and medication destroyed.

A number of sources told Radio Okapi that the FDLR has promised to "shoot at everything that moves" on its way to capturing the entire Shabunda area.

The assailants reportedly said the attacks were reprisals against people for siding with youths who have organized themselves into vigilante groups to fight the rebels.