SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES SUCCESSFUL HOLDING OF ELECTIONS IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES SUCCESSFUL HOLDING OF ELECTIONS

IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the successful holding of the presidential and national legislative elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 30 July.  This historic event is a milestone in the country’s peace process.

The Secretary-General congratulates the Congolese people for their broad participation and for the peaceful conduct of the elections, and commends the Congolese Independent Electoral Commission for organizing the polling.  He notes that the elections were held in a generally calm environment, with only isolated incidents, and calls for calm as the results are tabulated.  Voting continues today at the few polling stations that could not open yesterday.  The Secretary-General looks forward to the announcement of the results by the Independent Electoral Commission, and appeals to all of the Congolese parties and candidates to respect the outcome in a spirit of peace and reconciliation.

The Congolese people continue to face major challenges, including political and economic reforms, national reconciliation, good governance, and reconstruction and development.  The United Nations remains deeply committed to supporting them in their efforts to build lasting peace and democracy.

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For information media • not an official record