Much has been reported on the presidential and parliamentary elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this week. I have been traveling to the region since 1994 and witnessing the elections process first-hand on Monday with Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI) gave me hope for the future of the DRC.
I visited five polling sites in eastern Congo on election day and was struck by the sheer amount of Congolese wanting to take part in the democratic process. Some estimate voter turnout was over 70%. Each site was packed with voters, including a high percentage of women and young first time voters. These voters faced the challenges of voting with a determination that was inspiring. I spoke with women in the rural area of Sake outside of Goma who refused to be turned away at the polls, women who despite being illiterate, were fighting for their political voice.
While there have been reports of fraud and a simple lack of capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), I was impressed with the CENI officials who I met, Congolese citizens who were doing their best to manage an extremely complicated process in any country, let alone Congo.
ECI supported trainings for young election observers and independent youth journalists, and programs aimed at voter educations and engagement among vulnerable populations. As we toured polling sites, we met up with these young election observers and media. These young people were hustling around the city of Goma in an effort to hold the election to standards of transparency and to give people a voice. If the youth are our future, then Congo is ripe with driven and principled future leaders.
This elections process has shown that the Congolese people want their voices heard and that they overwhelmingly desire good governance, security, economic and social development. I will be returning to Congo next week to hear the election results and with the hope that there is further peace in store for the region.
Photos from election day
Pre-election scenes in Goma
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I read the comment of Hermeck,I fell shammed of some compatriot who living oversea( most of them without any legal paper) but their job is only discredited the image of their country.I am sorry Hervemeck the pictures can talk by themselves, the elections were fair enough, in fact each candidate was represented by witness,and don't tell me that some candidate were favored to other.Be proud of your Country remember how many time you elected a candidate of your choice during the dictatorship of Mobutu.You have to say thank you to President Kabila to let people choose the the candidate of their choice.cloclo
The most challenging moment awaits though. Most in the Congo know how deeply unpopular and brutal the outgoing president is. Since you seem to have very noble instincts Cindy, the question for you is if Kabila refuses to step down and if he tries to force his hand despite the overwhelming evidence that he's lost terribly, will you speak out against him or will you remain quiet?
HELP US , HELP US
Mrs Cindy,
We have not heard your opinion on the two challengers: kabila president since 2001 and running for another term with all his military force and Tshisekedi opposing him with the crowd and the people fighting for their freedom.
What have you seen? Are congolese voices going to be heard, can congolese really elect their president?
Kabila wants to stay in power despite a country now ranked 185/187 country, one of the poorest country in the world. Though as you know, DR Congo is potentially one of the riches country in the world, kabila has been the president for 11 years already, isn't it enough?
Mrs Cindy,
Do you think , you have to keep quiet as asked by kabial, no one as the right to talk about the polls in Congo, are you obeying him ?
People in congo , also need freedom, help us if you can, but don't come back in the usa and pretend to have done something when you just took vacation and relaxed under the sun .
You have just visited congo and kept quiet.
Congolese people are oppressed and need assistance, kabila the actual president is oppressing them.
SOS
excellent piece
(The really sad thing is that most people don't even realise how racist these comments are. The previous comment shows how views on African people have not changed since Kant wrote about Africa, having never even been there or understood the people.)
you know, i fight daily with those in my own circle of life who'd prefer to disparage and make worthless good deeds instead of 'appreciating' the fact that good deeds still exist - because obviously, they'd rather open their mouths to let their brains ooze their preference for the status quo of animosity, chaos, and ill-will towards others...to many, it is so much easier to let things slide instead of helping stop an avalanche...
for some reason they do not see that they are that one snowflake that makes an anvalanche probable
Thanks for reporting on the "Congo's Historic Election"! Please keep us posted on the election results for this important democratic election. I am inspired and I also admire your long term commitment to the electoral process in the Congo. I liked it when you wrote "...hold the election to standards of transparency and to give people a voice." Isn't that what it is all about?
Thanks!
Margo