DRC elections worry Annan
2005-06-02 09:52
Edith M Lederer
New York - United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan called on the security council to temporarily increase the 16 700-strong UN peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by more than 2 500 soldiers during upcoming elections.
In a report to the council on Wednesday, he also recommended a major increase to the 300-strong UN international police force — adding about 900 police officers to train police and help build effective policing operations at the national and local level.
Election on the cards
The DRC's transitional government was supposed to hold elections on June 30 as part of a peace plan that ended a five-year war. But the country still hasn't passed an electoral law and no date has been set, though the DRC's foreign minister said last month the presidential ballot was likely to be delayed until next year.
Annan noted the elections will be the first national vote in the DRC since 1965 and will involve a number of "formidable challenges" including reaching all eligible voters in a country the size of Europe with virtually no roads. In addition, he said, insecurity is rampant in some areas and political tensions are high in others.
Annan's report, based on the findings of a UN mission in April to assess electoral preparations, noted a number of potential threats to the electoral process especially in lawless eastern DRC where fighting continues but also in highly populated areas like the capital Kinshasa and Lubumbashi where there is concern that dominant political parties could threaten the activities of smaller parties.
Calling on international assistance
The Secretary-General stressed that the transitional government and the DRC people must be responsible for the electoral process — with assistance from the international community.
Because of the size of the country, he said it was impossible for the UN force to deploy civilian, military and police personnel in all areas.
Nonetheless, Annan recommended increasing the UN peacekeeping force by 2 590 troops and 886 police, which "would not only help to ensure stability and political openness during the electoral process, but support long-term capacity-building for the national police".
He also asked the council to expand the UN mandate and authorise additional aircraft so peacekeepers can transport electoral material from Kinshasa to other towns and cities.
Annan urged the DRC's transitional leaders not to think of themselves but of what successful elections can do for the country - bringing the first truly representative government since independence in 1960.
"Holding elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will obviously be a daunting task," he said. "Despite the security, operational and political challenges, with sufficient focus and support by the transitional government and assistance from international partners, elections can be held within a reasonable period of time."
- AP