Stories about D.R. of Congo from August, 2006
DRC: Election results fragmented
The Head Heeb analyses the partial results from the Democratic Republic of Congo's National Assembly election which took place alongside the better-publicised presidential poll. It's already clear that the incoming parliament will be highly fragmented,” he concludes.
DRC: Election tension mounts
Extra Extra is taking precautions as the Democratic Republic of Congo waits for the second round of its historic but troubled national elections. “For the time being, things are calm, but far from stable. Having unpacked, I'm now packing an emergency bag, just in case.”
Africa: Is the Battle against AIDS Lost?
Forum Realisance believes (Fr) former colonial powers and pharmaceutical companies are partially to blame for the AIDS crisis but saves harsher words for Africans and failed African leaders: ” Ignorance and illiteracy reproduce AIDS blindly without the least use for reason. Isn't it sacred and legitimate to protect oneself? Why...
DRC: BanaCongo Rift
At UDPS Liege, BanaCongo representatives deplored (Fr) the decision by some BanaCongo members to issue a declaration in the pressure group's name encouraging the Congolese to remain calm during the electoral period. BanaCongo's President Aubin KIKONKI KINGOTOLO says the declaration was prompted by Joseph Kabila's camp and disavows the members...
DRC, Belgium: BanaCongo Demo
UDPS Liege posts (Fr) pictures of an August 21 Congolese demonstration in front of European Union offices in Belgium. The demo was called by Bana Congo. The blog adds: “Between two evils, we must choose the lesser. That does not mean that we are for JP BEMBA but we know...
DRC: Runoff to Come
The Salon posts (Fr) early election results concluding there will be a runoff between Joseph Kabila and Bemba. The blogger adds: “The Congolese people have voted. Now please let us keep the country in one peace!”
DRC: Louis Michel's Performance as a Mediator
According to Ndjoli Bodjenga at Le Blog du Congolais (Fr) European Commissary Louis Michel has performed poorly as a mediator during the transition to elections in the DRC: “An impartial political mediator would not overtly confront one of the principal actors of the conflict to be solved; he would not...
DRC: A Wasted Election?
At Le Blog du Congolais, Ndjoli Bodjenga assesses the recent election as follows (Fr): “The posh crowd from the international community (Miche, Okala, Barosso, Swing, etc.) is happy to have organized co-called elections and to have prioritized the participation of the 3 local warlords. (…) Elections that could have made...
DRC: The East Votes Kabila
Of the eastern DRC's 85% vote for Kabila, UDPS Liege writes (Fr): “They are free to make that choice. (…) The eastern DRC opted to align themselves with the Rwandan subject to pillage the Congo and all those who collaborate with him will pay dearly for betraying the people.” The...
DRC: White Candidate in Presidential Election
Fleur d'Afrique points to an article about Pierre-Jacques Chalupa, a white candidate in Sunday's presidential election and writes (Fr): “Apparently, there was also a white candidate in the elections. I thought it was a joke! As the article says, it is hilarious that nobody is reacting but when it comes...
DRC: Candidates Complain about Rigging
The Salon deplores that so many candidates are complaining about fraud in Sunday's election fearing the aftermath will lead to riots: “If they can convince people that their allegations are true, it will mean that the international community is in collusion with the riggers… recipe for chaos. I believe these...
DRC: Possibility of a Runoff
Friends of the Congo offers preliminary results of Sunday's presidential election including the possibility of a runoff between Kabila and Bemba, an outcome that according to the blogger falls in line with the spirit of an aborted proposal made during the Sun City talks.
DRC: Word on the Street
In a long detailed post, Fleur d'Afrique relates what she has heard through word of mouth about the aftermath of sunday's presidential election. Among other rumors, she's heard that:”Kabila is leading the polls particularly in the eastern and some southern parts of Congo.” She also deplores UDPS's strategy of boycotting...
