Secretary-General congratulates people of Democratic Republic of Congo

 

on peaceful second round of presidential election

 

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

The Secretary-General congratulates the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on their peaceful participation in the second round of the presidential election and the elections for the provincial assemblies, which were held on 29 October.

The Secretary-General is pleased that voters were able to cast their ballots in a generally free and calm environment, although he is concerned at the violent incidents that took place in Equateur province and near Bunia in the Ituri district.  He commends the tireless efforts of the Independent Electoral Commission in ensuring that the electoral process continues to be credible and transparent.  He notes that voting, which was disrupted in the town of Bumba in Equateur, will be completed on 31 October.

The Secretary-General also welcomes the signing, on 29 October, by representatives of President Joseph Kabila and Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba, of a declaration of intent regarding their conduct following the elections, which is an important step in ensuring that the electoral process is successfully concluded in calm and secure conditions.   The Secretary-General calls on the presidential candidates and their supporters to exercise patience and restraint, and to take all possible steps to prevent any acts of violence while waiting for the results to be announced by the Independent Electoral Commission.

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For information media • not an official record