28 June 2006

South Africa is ready to send an observer mission of about 120 personnel to the Democratic Republic of Congo to assist that country with elections scheduled for 30 July.

Briefing journalists in Pretoria on Tuesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad said the delegation would comprise Members of Parliament, government representatives, members of civic organisations, as well as individuals with previous observer experience.

Pahad said that, at the DRC's request, South Africa would also send 300 personnel to help with IT and logistical requirements for the elections.

With South Africa's Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) not having enough IT and logistics personnel available to send to the DRC, President Thabo Mbeki had appealed to the country's private sector to help, Pahad said.

"I want to thank the private sector for their enthusiastic response in this regard."

The support staff and members of the observer mission are expected to leave for the DRC in July. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will also send 10 observers.

The IEC has already sent voter education material, translated into five languages, to the DRC, as well as ballot papers.

Last month, Ireland and Denmark donated around R11-million to enable the IEC to help the DRC hold successful elections.

A big chunk of the funds will be channelled to logistics, such as the recruitment and training of staff, conflict resolution, and assisting the DRC with information and communication technology infrastructure for the elections.

At least 9 000 candidates will be competing for 500 seats in the DRC's National Assembly, while about 33 will be vying for the country's presidency.

Source: BuaNews

	Joseph Kabila of the DRC and President Thabo Mbeki after the South Africa-DRC Binational Commission in Pretoria in 2005. Mbeki was instrumental in brokering the peace deal that ended the five-year war in the DRC (Photo: Department of Foreign Affairs)

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	African Union  Department of Foreign Affairs

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