Democratic Republic of the Congo general election, 2006
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General elections were held in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on July 30, 2006, the first multiparty elections in the country in 46 years. Voters went to the polls to elect both a new President of the Republic and a new National Parliament.
The polls were boycotted by the veteran opposition leader, Etienne Tshisekedi, who complained of fraud. The international community donated $460 million to fund the elections and deployed the world's largest UN peacekeeping operation, MONUC, to help the stability of the election. While the election was conducted relatively peacefully, the collection of the results has proven chaotic, leading to armed clashes and growing fears of instability. As a result, DRC election officials announced that they would begin to release partial results earlier instead of only announcing the final count on August 20. [1]
On August 20, the CEI released its full provisional presidential election results, indicating that neither candidate was able to secure a majority, which led to a run-off election on October 29. On that day, voters went to the polls to vote in:
- a run-off election for the Presidency, as no candidate obtained more than 50 percent of the vote.
- an election of provincial parliaments [2]
On November 15, the CEI released its full provisional results for the presidential election's second round, indicating that Kabila had won. The results were, however, rejected by Bemba who claimed irregularities. The final results are set to be decided by the DRC Supreme Court on November 30.
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[edit] Registration and voter turnout
Over 25 million people registered to vote for the elections, in a country where the exact population is not known, but is likely in excess of 60 million. The Independent Electoral Commission (CEI or La Commission Electorale Indépendante) reported a voter turnout of 80 percent. [3]
[edit] Candidates
Thirty three people registered as candidates for the Presidency [4] and 9,000 for the 500 seats in the federal parliament. [5]
The initial presidential favourites were Joseph Kabila, the incumbent, and Jean-Pierre Bemba, one of the four vice-presidents.
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[edit] Conduct
At least six people were killed in violent street protests in the run up to the election.[6]
As of July 30, most polling stations were reported to have opened on time, with the election remaining peaceful. [7] The election closely followed an agreement with Ituri militias on July 28, an agreement which MONUC has stated "greatly enhances the security situation in the province in the lead-up to the historic DRC elections." [8]
[edit] Violence in Kasai
Presumed supporters of Tshisekedi burnt polling stations and voting materials in the city of Mbuji-Mayi, capital of East Kasai province, on Sunday to prevent the elections being held. The elections were extended until Monday and riot police were deployed. [9]
[edit] Fraud allegations
On the day of the election three Vice-Presidents and candidates complained of vote rigging. Bemba, Ruberwa and Z'Ahidi said "Perhaps we are heading for a masquerade or a parody of elections". [10]
[edit] Partial preliminary results
Preliminary results were expected to be released on August 2, [10] but due to the remoteness of many polling stations, results were not expected to be finalised until three weeks after the polls close. While South African observers approved the election, other monitors expressed concern, including ones from the Carter Center. [11] [12] MONUC reported that on August 3, on the third day of "chaotic poll-counting, a suspicious fire at a major Kinshasa election center deepened concerns over the transparency of the results." [13] According to MONUC, while the election itself may have met requirements, "the process of collecting results from 50,000 polling stations had become chaotic." On August 6, MONUC predicted that President Joseph Kabila appeared most likely to win, with Jean-Pierre Bemba finishing second. [13]
[edit] Clashes in eastern DRC
On August 5, thousands in eastern DRC were fleeing clashes between the DRC army and forces affiliated with General Laurent Nkunda. DRC officials reported that two government soldiers were killed in the fighting. [12] According to the The Independent, Nkunda, who is "widely believed to be in third place in the race for the DRC's presidency," stated that he will respect the results, but along with over 30 other candidates, expressed "determination to resist results which are perceived to be unfair." [14] Nkunda, who remains subject of an international arrest warrant issued by the DRC government "for alleged atrocities against civilians committed since 2004," expressed a willingness to negotiate with the winner of the election, but also, determination to resist any military attack. MONUC spokesperson reported that the peacekeeping force had began patrolling in the area and that fighting has become limited to isolated incidents. [15]
[edit] Pre-release of interim results
While the official provisional election results were not to be announced until August 20, on August 7, due to the tense climate brought by the chaotic collection of results and after pressures from international envoys (an effort led by South Africa), the DRC Electoral Commission stated that it will begin releasing interim election results as soon as the 20 percent vote count threshold is reached. [1] On August 8, some results were released, indicating that Kabila "overwhelmingly won" in the east while Bemba won in the west. A UN representative stated that it is too early to declare a winner. Preliminary national results were not expected until at least August 14. [16] On August 12, the DRC Independent Electoral Commission announced that six poll officials have been arrested for attempting to falsify the election results. [17] The officials were arrested on August 10, and appeared in court on August 11. [18] On August 15, the IEC reported that 94 percent of the presidential votes and 44 percent of the parliamentary results had been counted. [19]MONUC cautioned against media speculation of the results, while the instability in eastern DRC continues. [20] On August 16, Angola deployed four battalions along the DRC border. The Angolan army's Deputy Chief of Staff, General Geraldo Sachipendo Nunda, has said that these are steps taken "to ensure the security of our borders," although it has been speculated that Angola is preparing to intervene, if the need arises, in favor of Kabila. [21] On August 17, the UN began investigating a suspected child prostitution ring involving UN peacekeepers and members of the DRC army. [22] Also on August 17, MONUC chief William Lacy Swing, warned against hate messages in local Bemba-run media which called on Congolese to target white people and foreigners. [23] This was in response to a widespread perception that Kabila's re-election had been backed by the international community. [24] In response, the Congolese High Authority on Media suspended for twenty four hours the RTAE and CCTV television stations, the latter owned by Bemba. The government-owned Congolese Broadcasting Corporation television station, controlled by Kabila, also received a twenty four hour suspension. [25]
[edit] Interim results
The CEI released its full provisional results for the presidential election on August 20. On August 31, the DRC Supreme Court will announce the final official presidential election results. The CEI is set to release the results of the parliamentary election during early September. [26] Both events ended up being postponed, and as of September 7, remain so.
[edit] Presidential
On August 20, with almost all the votes from the country's 169 constituencies having been counted, the DRC headed toward a run-off election. There were reports of automatic gunfire in Kinshasa, and MLC representatives accused Kabila's Republican Guard of killing one of its men and injuring three policemen. [28] The armed clashes resulted in the long-awaited CEI announcement ceremony being delayed by several hours. [29] Full provisional results show Kabila with 44.81 percent of the vote, to Bemba's 20.03. Gizenga secured about 13 percent,[30] Mobutu about 5 percent and Kashala around 4 percent.[31]
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph Kabila | Independent | 7,590,485 | 44.81% |
| Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo | MLC | 3,392,592 | 20.03% |
| Antoine Gizenga | PALU | 2,211,280 | 13.06% |
| Nzanga Mobutu | UDEMO | 808,397 | 4.77% |
| Oscar Kashala | UREC | 585,410 | 3.46% |
| Azarias Ruberwa Manywa | RCG-G | 285,641 | 1.69% |
| Pierre Pay-Pay wa Syakasighe | DCF-COFEDEC | 267,749 | 1.58% |
| Vincent de Paul Lunda-Bululu | RSF | 237,257 | 1.40% |
| Joseph Olenghankoy Mukundji | FONUS | 102,186 | 0.60% |
| Pierre Anatole Matusila Malungenine Kongo | Independent | 99,408 | 0.59% |
| Antipas Mbusa Nyamwisi | Forces du Renouveau | 96,503 | 0.57% |
| Bernard Emmanuel Kabatu Suila | USL | 86,143 | 0.51% |
| Eugène Diomi Ndongala | DC | 85,897 | 0.51% |
| other candidates | 2,319,547 | 6.42% | |
| Total (turnout 70.54%) | 17,931,238 |
[edit] Parliamentary
On August 25, MONUC announced that the parliamentary results will be released as early as that day,[32] but as of August 27, they have yet to be released. On August 28, the CEI began releasing the legislative results, with the final count expected for September 4. [33] On September 4, the CEI postponed releasing the results of the parliamentary elections by at least a day following the arrest of ten Bemba-affiliated election officials. Still, the CEI announced that these problems will not affect the results. [34] The results so far released, show Kabila at a strong lead with 45% of the seats to Bemba's 14%, the remaining going to other parties. Of the 500 parliamentary seats, 58 have yet to be released. [35] On September 8, the CEI released the results, revealing that no single party gained the 251 seats needed to secure a majority. Kabila's PPRD has won 111 seats, while Bemba's MLC won 64 seats. [36]
[edit] Clashes in Kinshasa
Starting on August 20 heavy armed clashes took place in Kinsasha between forces loyal to Kabila and Bemba. Both sides accused the other of starting the fighting. [37]
On August 21, while a meeting between Bemba and foreign ambassadors representing the International Committee Accompanying the Transition to Democracy (CIAT)[38] was taking place in Kinshasa, clashes broke out between Kabila and Bemba forces, and Bemba's residence which hosted the meeting, came under attack. According to one diplomat in the residence, it included artillery and heavy machine gun fire. [39] Bemba and the diplomats were moved to the safety of the residence's shelter and there were no reports of injuries. Evacuation plans for the diplomats stranded in the shelter were reportedly being drawn up. Bemba's private helicopter was said to have been destroyed in the attack. [40] Several hours later, the UN spokesperson in the DRC, Jean-Tobias Okala, announced that the foreign diplomats, including MONUC chief William Swing, had been successfuly evacuated to UN headquarters by Spanish and Uruguayan peace-keeping forces after a top Kabila general and UN forces commander cooperated to allow them safe passage. [41]
Once the rescue had been completed, fighting in the DRC capital ensued, and on August 22, two DRC army tanks were reported seen heading toward the latest area of fighting. [37] The EU began sending more peacekeeping troops to Kinsasha and MONUC chief Swing called for an immediate ceasefire. [42] Later on August 22, on the third day of fighting, the two sides signed a tentative ceasefire agreement to withdraw from the centre of Kinshasa. AFP reports that "the deal was signed by representatives of Kabila and Bemba, DRC army, the UN mission MONUC, European force EUFOR and European police mission EUROPOL, meeting as a "working group" at MONUC's Kinshasa headquarters." At least three people have died during Tuesday's fighting. [43] Sixteen people were reported killed in the fighting which saw heavy artillery and machine gun fire, with police reporting more bodies being found and the deathtoll expected to rise considerably. [44] Later in the day, Interior Minister Theophile Mbemba Fundu, placed the deathtoll for the week at 23 killed, 43 injured. [45] As of August 24, the ceasefire remained in effect, with army forces loyal to the two candidates remaining in barracks, but the situation remains unstable. [46] Later in the day, police fired shots in the air to disperse angry crowds demanding that two of Bemba's television stations be reopened. [44]. South African Airways announced that flights to Kinshasa will be resumed on August 25 after being suspended since the fighting began. [47]
On August 26, Kabila and Bemba announced that the two had agreed to meet. [48] Later in the day, however, tensions were heightend as Bemba failed to attend the meeting. [49] On August 29, MONUC announced that representatives of Kabila and Bemba were due to meet under UN supervision. [50] Later in the day, it was reported that Kabila and Bemba themselves met for the first time since the clashes began. [51] On August 30, MONUC announced that the meeting resulted in the establishment of two joint sub-commissios, one to conduct an independent investigation of the clashes, and the other to devise rules which will prevent violence from reoccuring during the October 29 run-off election. [52]
- The French Wikipedia has an article about the August 2006 Kinsasha clashes: Événements de Kinshasa d'août 2006 (French)
[edit] Release of official results
As of early September, the DRC Supreme Court is to have about two months to rule on election-related appeals.
[edit] Presidential
On September 5, the DRC Supreme Court, which was set to release the official results of the election's first round, announced it will be postponing doing so pending two legal challenges which deem the forthcoming second round of elections unconstitutional. [53] MONUC, however, stated on September 6 that it is satisfied with the electoral process, but expressed concern over the humanitarian situation. [54]
[edit] Parliamentary
The CEI has postponed releasing the interim results for several days and these were released on September 8. As of that day, the CEI is to have fifteen days to set the date for the first session of parliament. This notwithstanding any Supreme Court rulings on its final composition.
| Party | Seats | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) | 111 | 22.2 |
| Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) | 64 | 12.8 |
| Unified Lumumbist Party (PALU) | 34 | 6.8 |
| Mouvement Social pour le Renouveau (MSR) | 27 | 5.4 |
| Forces du Renouveau | 26 | 5.2 |
| Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD) | 15 | 3.0 |
| Coalition des Démocrates Congolais (CODECO) | 10 | 2.0 |
| Convention des Démocrates Chrétiens (CDC) | 10 | 2.0 |
| Union des Démocrates Mobutistes (UDEMO) | 9 | 1.8 |
| Camp de la Patrie | 8 | 1.6 |
| Federalist Christian Democracy-Convention of Federalists for Christian Democracy (DCF-COFEDEC) | 8 | 1.6 |
| Parti Démocrate Chrétien (PDC) | 8 | 1.6 |
| Union des Nationalistes Fédéralistes du Congo (UNAFEC) | 7 | 1.4 |
| Alliance Congolaise des Démocrates Chrétiens (ACDC) | 4 | 0.8 |
| Alliance des Démocrates Congolais (ADECO) | 4 | 0.8 |
| Convention des Congolais Unis (CCU) | 4 | 0.8 |
| Patriotes Résistants Maï-Maï (PRM) | 4 | 0.8 |
| Rassemblement des Congolais Démocrates et Nationalistes (RCDN) | 4 | 0.8 |
| Union du Peuple pour la République et le Développement Intégral (UPRDI) | 4 | 0.8 |
| Alliance des Bâtisseurs du Kongo (ABAKO) | 3 | 0.6 |
| Convention Démocrate pour le Développement (CDD) | 3 | 0.6 |
| Convention pour la République et la Démocratie (CRD) | 3 | 0.6 |
| National Alliance Party for Unity (PANU) | 3 | 0.6 |
| Parti des Nationalistes pour le Développement Intégral (PANADI) | 3 | 0.6 |
| Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) | 3 | 0.6 |
| Union Nationale des Démocrates Fédéralistes (UNADEF) | 3 | 0.6 |
| Alliance des Nationalistes Croyants Congolais (ANCC) | 2 | 0.4 |
| Alliance pour le Renouveau du Congo (ARC) | 2 | 0.4 |
| Forces Novatrices pour l'Union et la Solidarité (FONUS) | 2 | 0.4 |
| Mouvement pour la Démocratie et le Développement (MDD) | 2 | 0.4 |
| Parti Congolais pour la Bonne Gouvernance (PCBG) | 2 | 0.4 |
| Parti de la Révolution du Peuple (PRP) | 2 | 0.4 |
| Democratic Social Christian Party (PDSC) | 2 | 0.4 |
| Rassemblement des Forces Sociales et Fédéralistes (RSF) | 2 | 0.4 |
| Renaissance Plate-forme électorale (RENAISSANCE-PE) | 2 | 0.4 |
| Solidarité pour le Développement National (SODENA) | 2 | 0.4 |
| Union pour la Majorité Républicaine (UMR) | 2 | 0.4 |
| Union Nationale des Démocrates Chrétiens (UNADEC) | 2 | 0.4 |
| Action de Rassemblement pour la Reconstruction et l'Edification Nationales (ARREN) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Alliance des Nationalistes Congolais/Plate Forme (ANC/PF) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Conscience et Volonté du Peuple (CVP) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Convention Chrétienne pour la Démocratie (CCD) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Convention Nationale d'Action Politique (CNAP) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Convention Nationale pour la République et le Progrès (CNRP) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Démocratie Chrétienne (DC) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Front des Démocrates Congolais (FRODECO) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Front pour l'Intégration Sociale (FIS) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Front Social des Indépendants Républicains (FSIR) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Front des Sociaux Démocrates pour le Développement (FSDD) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Générations Républicaines (GR) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Mouvement d'Action pour la Résurrection du Congo, Parti du Travail et de la (MARC-PTF) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Mouvement d'Autodéfense pour l'Intégrité et le Maintien de l'Autorité Indép (MAI-MAI MOUVE) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Mouvement du Peuple Congolais pour la République (MPCR) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Mouvement Populaire de la Révolution (MPR) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Mouvement Solidarité pour la Démocratie et le Développement (MSDD) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Mouvement Maï-Maï (MMM) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Organisation Politique des Kasavubistes et Alliés (OPEKA) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Parti Congolais pour le Bien-être du Peuple (PCB) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Parti de l'Unité Nationale (PUNA) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Parti National du Peuple (PANAP) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Rassemblement des Chrétiens pour le Congo (RCPC) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Rassemblement des Écologistes Congolais, les verts (REC-LES VERTS) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Rassemblement pour le Développement Économique et Social (RADESO) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Union Congolaise pour le Changement (UCC) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Union des Libéraux Démocrates Chrétiens (ULDC) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Union des Patriotes Nationalistes Congolais (UPNAC) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Union pour la Défense de la République (UDR) | 1 | 0.2 |
| Indépendants | 63 | 12.6 |
| Non alloués | 2 | 0.4 |
| Total | 500 | 100 |
[edit] Presidential run-off
During late October 2006, as the date for the presidential run-off approached, security concerns were increasingly expressed. On October 26, the CEI stated that the North Kivu province could see security threats. While MONUC stated that they "'do not foresee any major problems,'"[55] the next day, on October 27, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated that he was "very concerned about the increasing level of violence as election day approaches" [56][57] The head of the South African observer mission, Mluleki George, stated ,however, that he expected the election would "'be held under normal and peaceful conditions.'" As well, rebel leader Laurent Nkunda reiterated he will respect the results,[58] a pledge which was also expressed by Bemba. [59]
On October 29, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (which a day before condemned police violence against its correspondent [60]) reported that despite delays in the Kinshasa area, caused by heavy rains, voting was "running smoothly in most other parts of the DRC." [61] The African Union hailed "the smooth conduct" of the election and appealed for calm as vote counting began. [62] Carter Center chief observer, former Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark, stated that "attempted manipulation of the electoral process, while very serious in a few cases, appear at this point to be isolated and unlikely to affect the overall success of the vote." [63]
[edit] Clashes in Equateur
During the first day of voting, violent clashes in the Equateur province resulted in two fatalities. [64][65] MONUC stated later in the day that "the situation has returned to calm and voting operations are taking place normally throughout Equateur." Additional reports of clashes remained unconfirmed, but these appeared to have been limited to Equateur. [66]
[edit] Rioting in Ituri
On October 30, as vote counting began, MONUC reported that a soldier killed two poll workers in the town of Fataki, Ituri province, resulting in riots which led to the destruction of 43 polling stations. The reason for the shooting remain unclear, but it appears that the soldier was drunk. [67] The soldier has been sentenced to death for the murders. [68]
[edit] Partial preliminary results (2nd round)
The results of the presidential run-off are to be released on November 19, 2006. [56] On October 30, voter turnout was estimated to have been low. [69] The head of the CEI, Apollinaire Malumalu, warned on November 1 against releasing partial preliminary results to prevent the same violent clashes which followed during the election's first round. [70]
[edit] Pre-release of interim results (2nd round)
Three days later, however, the CEI decided to prerelease partial preliminary results to stem the spread of rumours,[71] a decision analogous to the unscheduled prerelease that took place during the first round. On November 6, results from 12 of 169 constituencies showed Kabila in the lead. [72] On November 8, the two candidates met and issued calls for calm. The meeting came as accusations from Bemba's coalition were directed against the CEI for skewing the results in favour of Kabila, a claim dismissed by a CEI official as false and inflammatory. [73]
On November 10, with votes from 112 of 169 constituencies counted and with a voter turnout of about 67 percent, Kabila was leading with about 60 percent of the votes. [74]
[edit] Clashes in Kinshasa (2nd round)
On November 11, a shootout took place for several hours after police had fired shorts in the air to disperse Bemba's supporters who demonstrated nearby Bemba's residence in Kinshasa to protest vote counting during the run-off. The shooting ceased after MONUC mediated a meeting between representatives of the two groups. At least four people were reported to have died in the clashes. [75] On November 13, DRC police arrested 337 people, including 87 children, suspected to have been involved in the November 11 clashes. [76]
[edit] Partial results contested by Bemba
On November 14, Bemba rejected the results of the election,[77] which showed Kabila with 60 to Bemba's 40 percent, with 90 percent of the votes (159 out of 169 constituencies) having been counted. Bemba's supporters stated that "the Union for the Nation will not accept an electoral hold-up that aims to steal victory from the Congolese people", and that they were not bound by their promise to accept the results if they thought there was electoral fraud.[78] Bemba's UFN coalition maintained he was leading with 52 to Kabila's 48 percent. [79]
[edit] Interim results (2nd round)
The results released by the CEI on November 15 awaited validation by the Supreme Court on November 30.
| province | registered voters | voted | part. | invalid | empty | counting | Bemba | Kabila |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinshasa | 2,950,884 | 1,685,250 | 57.11% | 27,082 | 23,492 | 1,650,276 | 1,122,231 | 528,045 |
| Lower-Congo | 1,227,775 | 633,463 | 51.59% | 19,438 | 3,807 | 610,218 | 452,409 | 157,809 |
| Bandundu | 2,925,126 | 1,480,921 | 50.63% | 26,580 | 4,541 | 1,449,400 | 877,560 | 571,840 |
| Equator | 2,923,680 | 2,468,917 | 84.45% | 20,961 | 6,067 | 2,441,889 | 2,372,326 | 69,563 |
| Oriental | 3,241,423 | 2,069,325 | 63.84% | 66,909 | 21,332 | 1,981,084 | 406,532 | 1,574,552 |
| North Kivu | 2,451,475 | 1,888,975 | 77.05% | 33,842 | 13,100 | 1,842,033 | 65,373 | 1,776,660 |
| South Kivu | 1,651,262 | 1,388,001 | 84.06% | 20,487 | 3,545 | 1,363,969 | 23,115 | 1,340,854 |
| Maniema | 626,327 | 502,487 | 80.23% | 4,525 | 1,256 | 496,706 | 8,296 | 488,410 |
| Katanga | 3,473,936 | 2,625,458 | 75.58% | 31,380 | 7,725 | 2,586,353 | 161,378 | 2,424,975 |
| East Kasai | 1,975,430 | 842,926 | 42.67% | 14,219 | 3,823 | 824,884 | 556,088 | 268,796 |
| West Kasai | 2,010,405 | 1,033,756 | 51.42% | 20,746 | 3,221 | 1,009,789 | 774,514 | 235,275 |
| Total | 25,420,199 | 16,615,479 | 65.36% | 286,369 | 72,509 | 16,256,601 | 6,819,822 | 9,436,779 |
| % total | 41.95% | 58.05% | ||||||
[edit] Interim results contested by Bemba
On November 17, Bemba told reporters that he rejects the interim results, citing irregularities. He said that he "cannot accept the results that are far from reflecting the truth of the election results," and that he would "use all the legal channels to respect the will of our people." [80] Bemba, on November 18, filed a complaint to the Supreme Court over his claims of electoral irregularities. A member of his UFN coalition had said that: "there were many, many irregularities. It was not at all democratic. We are confident the supreme court will correct the result." [81]
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Partial DRC election results to be released", Independent Online, August 7, 2006
- ^ (French) "Publication du calendrier de la suite des opérations électorales", CEI, July 31, 2006
- ^ "DRC records 80% voter turnout", South African Broadcasting Corporation, August 20, 2006
- ^ (French) "List of definitive candidates to the presidential elections", CEI, July 2006
- ^ "First results posted in DR Congo", BBC News, 2006-07-31
- ^ "World leaders back Congo polls as democracy test", South African Broadcasting Corporation, July 29, 2006
- ^ "Historic elections get under way in DRC", South African Broadcasting Corporation, July 30, 2006
- ^ "MONUC: Ituri militia agreements are very important for elections security", MONUC, July 28, 2006
- ^ "Congo voting extended in area of boycott", CNN, July 31, 2006
- ^ a b Congo drone crash compounds EU soldiers' image problem, Euobserver, 31 July 2006.
- ^ On September 1, the Carter Center released its report on the election's first round, finding it "credible," without "evidence of widespread or systematic manipulation." Still, it pointed to "important procedural flaws that weakened the transparency of the process." ("Carter Center Finds DRC Elections Credible, But Warns of Important procedural Flaws", Voice of America, September 1, 2006)
- ^ a b "Concerns over election results in Congo" [1], Radio New Zealand, August 6, 2006
- ^ a b "Congo ballots go up in flames", MONUC, August 6, 2006
- ^ "Congo elections 'teetering on brink'", The Independent, August 5, 2006
- ^ "Rebel troops clash with army in eastern Congo", South African Broadcasting Corporation August 5, 2006
- ^ "UN: Too Early to Declare Winner Despite Early DRC Election Results", Associated Press, August 8, 2006
- ^ "DRC poll workers arrested for falsifying results", ABC News, August 12, 2006
- ^ "DRC election officials arrested for fraud", Independent Online, August 11, 2006
- ^ "SA observers happy with DRC vote count", Mail & Guardian, August 15, 2006
- ^ "Ethnic rivalry overshadows DRC poll count", Mail & Guardian, August 15, 2006
- ^ "Angola reinforces troops on DRC border", Mail & Guardian, August 16, 2006
- ^ "DRC: UN peacekeepers again accused of sex abuse", Mail & Guardian, August 17, 2006
- ^ "Hate messages in DR Congo media targeting ‘white people’ spark UN concerns", United Nations, August 17, 2006
- ^ Vote Count Continues in Congo Election, Washington Post, 2006-08-15
- ^ "UN worried about DRC hate messages", Wits Journalism Programme, August 20, 2006
- ^ "Presidential runoff expected ahead of Congolese election results", Deutsche Presse-Agentur, August 20, 2006
- ^ This is the pre-February 2006 Constitution provincial composition.
- ^ "Congo poll heads for runoff, gunfire in Kinshasa", Reuters, August 20, 2006
- ^ "Kabila Faces Runoff in Congo; Violence Delays Ceremony", New York Times, August 20, 2006
- ^ "DRC: presidential run-off, Special Broadcasting Service, August 20, 2006
- ^ Kinshasa calmer after peace deal, BBC News, August 22, 2006
- ^ "Legislative election results in DR Congo expected any time, says UN mission", United Nations, August 25, 2006
- ^ "Officials start to release DRC results ", AFP, August 28, 2006
- ^ "10 DRC election workers held", Associated Press, September 4, 2006
- ^ "Kabila likely to head DRC", Reuters, September 4, 2006
- ^ "DRC: Parliamentary polls results out, no party gains majority", Reuters September 8, 2006
- ^ a b "Congo-Kinshasa: Fresh Fighting After SA Envoy Rescued in DRC", Cape Argus, August 22, 2006
- ^ "CIAT includes the ambassadors of the five United Nations Security Council permanent members: UK, PRC, France, Russia and the US; as well as Angola, Belgium, Canada, Gabon, Zambia and South Africa and officials from the UN peacekeeping mission MONUC, the European Union and the African Union."
- ^ "DRC: Candidate's residence attacked", Mail & Guardian, August 21, 2006
- ^ "Kabila, Bemba Forces Fight in Congo Capital", Voice of America, August 21, 2006
- ^ "UN frees diplomats trapped in Congo attack", CBC, August 21, 2006
- ^ "UN presses Congo factions to end Kinshasa fighting", SABC, August 22, 2006
- ^ "DRC rivals withdraw forces", AFP, August 22, 2006
- ^ a b "DRC police fire shots as fragile truce holds", Mail & Guardian, August 24, 2006
- ^ "23 killed in DRC violence", AFP, August 24, 2006
- ^ "Fragile DRC ceasefire holding", SABC, August 24, 2006
- ^ "SAA flights resume to DRC", Independent Online, August 24, 2006
- ^ "DRC presidential rivals to meet", AFP, August 26, 2006
- ^ "Bemba boycotts Kabila meeting", AFP, August 26, 2006
- ^ "Opposing Congo camps to meet under UN supervision", AFP, August 29, 2006
- ^ "DRC poll rivals meet for talks", AFP, August 29, 2006
- ^ "Candidates Working to Prevent Violence During Runoff", MONUC, August 30, 2006
- ^ "DRC supreme court postpones release of final presidential election results", People's Daily, September 5, 2006
- ^ "MONUC satisfied with DRC electoral process but concerned with humanitarian situation", MONUC, September 6, 2006
- ^ "DRC's security threats troubling: IEC", South African Broadcasting Corporation, October 26, 2006
- ^ a b "Congo-Kinshasa: Annan 'Very Concerned' At Rising Violence Ahead of Sunday's Elections", United Nations, October 27, 2006
- ^ "Pre-election violence in Democratic Republic of Congo worries Secretary-General", Relief Web, October 27, 2006
- ^ "DRC rebel leader commits to peace", South African Broadcasting Corporation, October 27, 2006
- ^ "DRC: I will not fight if I lose election - Bemba", Reuters, October 27, 2006
- ^ "SABC condemns beating of reporter in DRC", Mail & Guardian, October 28, 2006
- ^ "Heavy rain delays voting in Kinshasa", South African Broadcasting Corporation, October 29, 2006
- ^ "AU hails DRC polls, appeals for calm", Mail & Guardian, October 31, 2006
- ^ "DRC Observers Seek Transparency in Vote Counting", Voice of America, November 1, 2006
- ^ "DRC election marred by violence", News24, October 29, 2006
- ^ "DRC police open fire as voters go to polls", Independent Online, October 30, 2006
- ^ "DRCongo vote mostly peaceful", Special Broadcasting Service, October 30, 2006
- ^ "DRC hit by post election riots", News24, October 30, 2006
- ^ "DRC soldier to be killed for murdering officials", South African Broadcasting Corporation, October 31, 2006
- ^ "Low turnout, minor incidents mark DRC elections", Angola Press, October 30, 2006
- ^ "DR Congo: CEI urges vote results caution", Angola Press, November 1, 2006
- ^ "DRC officials get tough on rumour mill", Mail & Guardian, November 3, 2006
- ^ "Early Election Results Released to Dispel Rumours in Strife-Torn DR Congo - UN", United Nations, November 6, 2006
- ^ "DRC presidential candidates meet", Independent Online, November 8, 2006
- ^ Kabila maintains lead in DRC presidential vote", Mail & Guardian, November 11, 2006
- ^ "Calm returns to DRC capital after election-related violence", People's Daily, November 12, 2006
- ^ "DRC: Police arrest 337 over Kinshasa clashes", Reuters November 13, 2006
- ^ "DRC's Bemba rejects results showing Kabila win", Mail & Guardian, November 14, 2006
- ^ "Bemba rejects DR Congo poll loss", BBC News, 14 November 2006
- ^ "DRC: Partial data shows Bemba leads in elections", Spero News, November 14, 2006
- ^ "DRC: Bemba rejects poll results", Reuters, November 17, 2006
- ^ "DRC loser goes to supreme court", News24, November 18, 2006
