DRC to ensure peaceful polls
2006-06-30 09:05
Kinshasa - A major dialogue involving the political elite of the Democratic Republic of Congo from the president down was set to open on Friday to ensure a smooth run-up to the country's first democratic elections in 45 years.
Azarias Ruberwa, vice-president in charge of politics, defence and security, said the promised consultations aimed to "preserve the credibility and calm of the electoral process".
A presidential statement said that the meetings, sought by several parties and the Roman Catholic Church in the country, would focus on "questions concerning safety of election candidates, their access to the media and the acceptance of results".
Some parties 'need clarity'
Several opposition parties threatened on Wednesday to obstruct the electoral process if these consultations did not take place. Some parties were still seeking clarification of the campaign organisation.
Campaigning officially began late on Thursday for the elections, seen as a key step in bringing lasting peace to the vast, war-scarred nation.
The vote on July 30 to choose a president and parliament would be followed by provincial and local ballots, designed to conclude the fragile three-year transitional period that succeeded the central African country's civil war.
EU to deploy forces
The political consultations, to be held at the foreign ministry, were scheduled to involve the president and four vice-presidents, and also 33 contenders for the presidency in a July 30 election.
It was also scheduled to involve the Speakers of the lower and upper houses, an independent electoral commission, party delegates and representatives of civil society and members of the international community in Kinshasa.
President Joseph Kabila, currently in the east of the vast, war-torn central African country, was not expected to be back in time for the opening of the consultations.
Meanwhile, it was announced here that a European Union military force to be deployed to ensure public safety during the election had already positioned the first 412 of 1 200 troops to be stationed in Kinshasa.