US urges DRC to have elections
2005-05-20 11:39
Washington - The United States welcomed the DRC's new constitution and urged the Central African nation to hold national elections as dictated by a two-year-old agreement that ended a four-year civil war.
The war was among the bloodiest in Africa. The International Rescue Committee estimated at least 3.3 million people died, mostly victims of disease and famine caused by the fighting.
State Department spokesperson Richard Boucher praised the document, adopted last Friday, for establishing a balance of powers in government, ensuring protection and development of minorities and limiting presidents to two terms.
"We note the flexibility shown by all members of the transitional government in reaching this agreement," Boucher said. "The United States hopes the national constitutional referendum will take place as soon as feasible, followed by national elections within the time frame mandated in the Sun City Accords of 2003."
That agreement, signed in the South African City in April 2003, prescribes elections after two years, which would be by November.
- AP