SA observer team arrives in DRC
20 July 2006
A 118-member South African observer mission has arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo ahead of the 30 July elections - the country's first in over 40 years.
The observer mission will be in the DRC until 4 August to observe the election campaigns, voting process and counting of votes. A few members will remain in the DRC until 15 August to observe the final outcome of the counting process.
The members will be deployed at results centres in all 11 provinces of the DRC.
The SA mission comprises members of Parliament, government officials, business people, civil society representatives, religious leaders, trade unionists and individuals with experience in observing elections.
The group reported having arrived "to an environment of calmness and anticipation".
They are to join forces with observer groups from other parts of the world, including the European Union, African Union, Southern African Development Community, Angolan
government, Economic Community of Central African States, and the Carter Centre.
Following their arrival at the International Airport of Lubumbashi, the mission was briefed on the situation on the ground by South Africa's ambassador to the DRC, Sisa Ngombane.
Members were immediately dispatched to 24 designated result centres out of a total of 64 in the 11 provinces.
Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula, who is leading the mission, will travel between South Africa and the DRC throughout the election period to monitor the situation there.
South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad has expressed confidence that the DRC elections would go off successfully.
South Africa's assistance to the DRC includes lending the expertise and resources of its Independent Electoral Commission, peacekeeping efforts, printing and distributing ballot papers, as well as acting as a facilitator in political negotiations.
Source: BuaNews
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