DR Congo: Towards a constitutional referendum (Pamphile Sebahara)

Le processus électoral en République démocratique du Congo (RDC ) traverse une phase cruciale en ce dernier trimestre 2005. Il doit en effet relever le défi d'organiser et tenir le référendum constitutionnel prévu le 18 décembre 2005. Ainsi les derniers mois ont été marqués par d'intenses préparatifs administratifs, logistiques et politiques et par les efforts des forces armées de la RDC et de la Monuc pour améliorer les conditions de sécurité dans les régions où les milices et les groupes armés étrangers sèment encore la terreur dans la population ...

Democratic Republic of Congo: Success and challenges in the electoral process (Pamphile Sebahara)

Examining three years (June 2003 – June 2006) in the Congolese electoral process ahead of the 30 July 2006 presidential and general elections, this report in the Analysis series studies the complex situation, identifying the internal and external players. Amidst cooperation and complementarity, but also confrontation, progress has been made in the electoral process – formulating a legal framework for the elections, registering voters, approving the Constitution by referendum and promulgation of the electoral law.

Since publication of the electoral timetable for elections on 30 July 2006, the preparations speeded up under the watchful eye of the Independent Electoral Committee (CEI) with the adoption of lists of candidates, the approval and printing of voting cards, raising awareness among the general population, and mobilising the international community to ensure respect of the new timetable. These important gains remain fragile and should therefore be consolidated. The remaining obstacles to be overcome in the process include the continued insecurity in Katanga and in the East, delays in reforming the security sector, the country’s extreme dependence on foreign aid, logistical issues and the UDPS’s calls for a boycott ...