Politics: Congo (Kinshasa): Elections in the vast country of Democratic Republic of Congo this Sunday -- all the best, folks!

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It sure is great to hear how Tristan McConnell is headlined in his report in Christian Science Monitor (Jul28,2k6). Before quoting McConnell, I note that CSM also has a worthwhile editorial on pre-vote DRCongo. Now, McConnell's dispatch:

Congolese hopeful as they head to polls.

The Democratic Republic of Congo votes Sunday in its first free presidential election in 46 years.

BUKAVU, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Voters in this vast mineral-rich central African country are hoping that Sunday's presidential election - the country's first in 46 years - will usher in democracy and development after four decades of predatory misrule and horrific violence.

Across the country 25.7 million registered voters will be faced with tablecloth-sized ballot papers listing the 33 presidential hopefuls and 9,700 parliamentary candidates.

Africa > DemRep of Congo (Kinshasa):

With only 300 miles of paved road in a country one quarter the size of the United States and covered by half the forest on the African continent, just getting the 1,800 tons of ballot papers distributed to the 53,000 polling stations has required more than 75 flights and countless trips in four-wheel-drive vehicles. Even after a massive voter education campaign, groups can still be seen crowding around sample ballot sheets discussing how to properly cast their vote.

Yet, despite the monumental logistical challenges - and early claims of irregularities, sporadic violence, and opposition boycotts - most Congolese voters, especially in the country's war-torn east, have an optimistic outlook.

"I will vote for Joseph Kabila because he brought us peace, and when he is president he will bring us jobs," says a smiling Paulin Murimu, an unemployed 37-year-old from Bukavu in eastern Congo. Joseph Kabila, 35-year-old son and heir to the presidency of his murdered father Laurent, is popular in this part of eastern Congo. And, with total control of the state media, Mr. Kabila is the only candidate with name recognition across the vast country, making him the favorite to win.

The foregoing blog-entry was drafted yesterday. Today, with only one day left before tomorrow's vote, BBC provides a worthwhile supplementary report. I recommend your reading McConnell's dispatch in its entirety, noting the role of 17,000 UN troops there (no one's mentioning the rape stories about these UN troops).

And if you're rooting for success, you're probably doing so like me, holding your breath!

-- Politicarp

Further Sources:

refWrite on Mining multnationals in Congo have lots of influence, lack transparency (Jul23,2k6)

Sex-crimes allegations against UN troops double in DR Congo (May6,2k6)

Endless sex abuse by UN Peacekeepers (NYT,Oct19,2k5