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Elections in Congo Could Bring Stabilily to Central Africa

After a four-year postwar transition time, Congo finally held a runoff election between a president and a rebel warlord. There is hope that these elections will finally bring peace to a country that has been burdened with war and despotism for decades. The two major candidates are 35 year old Joseph Kabila and 44 year old Jean-Pierre Bemba, a former rebel leader who is now the vice president of a power-sharing government. Kabila is favored to win the five-year term, considering that he claimed 45 percent of the first round votes, while Bemba only received 20 percent. The two candidates voted in neighboring Kinshasa schools. Kabila had to avoid puddles inside and outside the schools. Rain had seeped through broken windows and a leaky roof, even though it was build in one of the better neighborhoods. This was an illustration of the country’s ravaged infrastructure. Even though Congo is rich in many resources like diamonds, gold, cobalt, copper, and coltan, it has had troubles receiving much income. Since the country gained its independence in 1960 from Belgium, it has been ruled by greedy dictators. Mobutu Sese Seko ruled for 32 years, and pocketed billions of dollars from the nation’s mineral wealth, doing little to develop the country. Finally, in 1997, Laurent Kabila, Joseph’s father, ousted Mobutu from power. However, once backed by Rwandan rebels, Kabila fell out with them and created a year later; dividing the country. Then in 2001, Kabila was assassinated by a bodyguard, leaving his son in power. A year later, Joseph Kabila help negotiate the war’s end. Aid groups predicted that nearly 4 million people died during the conflict. The trasition period has been secured by the largest U.N. mission in the world, a 17,600-strong back up for the vote with nearly 2,500 EU troops. Today the government is trying to establish a unified army and regain control in the east. Here, rebels accused of raping and pillaging residents have been collecting their own taxes.

However, while all of the country’s problems, Sunday’s voting was largely peaceful. Although, no peace is guaranteed. Forces loyal to the two major candidates were reported to have fought with tanks and heavy weaponry, leaving at least two dead on Sunday. And in the northeastern town of Bumba, more than 200 Bemba supporters looted polling stations and burning ballots. This was in response to rumors that officials were stuffing ballots supporting Kabila into boxes. This disruption left one boy dead and another wounded from stray bullets. Other similar incidents have been reported. Also, thousands of people weren’t allowed to vote when soldiers blocked a road and demanded money to pass.

However, there is optimism that democracy in Congo will bring peace to the surrounding area. And being one the largest African countries, it could be the bread basket of the central region. This is just an example of the many conflicts located in Africa. But if these countries can overcome war and corruption, development and productivity can result. I hope that these elections can bring stability to the country, making it a model for other countries in the area. Countries like Sudan and Nigeria, who are suffering from war and oppression. But overall, this is a very good sign for Africa.

Congo's Mostly Peaceful Elections

posted by Anonymous @ 11/01/2006 10:09:00 PM