DFA PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON THE DRC ELECTIONS AND RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT POA

14 MARCH 2007

Introduction

·       The successful conclusion of democratic elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) marked the official end of the transitional period.

·       South Africa had deployed a National Observer Mission (SAOM) to observe both rounds of the DRC elections

·       Concluded that elections were democratic, peaceful, credible and transparent.

·       Following the successful elections, South Africa will embark on post conflict reconstruction and development in the DRC

·       The programme will focus on 3 critical areas:

- Security Sector Reform

 

- Institutional Capacity Building

 

- Economic Development.

·       The mandate of MONUC was recently extended for two months until 15 April 2007

·       The UN Secretary General is expected to present a report on the future role of MONUC in the DRC.

·       The role of the international community remains critical in the immediate to long term development of the DRC.

Electoral Process

 

·       The country's landmark Presidential elections were held over two rounds, July 2006 and October 2006,

 

·       None of the Presidential candidates received the 50% majority needed to win the election in the first round.

 

·       A total of thirty-three (33) presidential candidates had registered for the first round of elections.

 

·         The UDPS, led by Mr Tshisekedi boycotted the elections with allegations that basic conditions for a transparent vote had not been met.

 

·       The UDPS still refuses to be part of the new government.

·       In general, the elections were violence free.

 

·       There were minor skirmishes between supporters of Bemba and Kabila in Kinshasa and other parts of the country leading to a few deaths.

 

·       Run-off between President Joseph Kabila and former Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba held 29 October 2006.

 

·       65% of the DRC's 25,4 million registered voters participated during the elections.

 

·       Final results announced on 15 November, gave 58,05 % of the votes to Kabila , against 41,95 % for Bemba.

 

·       DRC's electoral law, provides a three-day window period during which the Supreme Court received and heard objections within seven days to examine such objections.

 

·       Mr Bemba filed a formal challenge to the Supreme Court against the provisional results, alleging "systematic cheating", falsified results, blocking of party representatives at polling stations, and stuffing of ballot boxes.

 

·       On 27 November 2006, the DRC's Supreme Court, confirmed Joseph Kabila as the new President of the DRC;

 

·       Also upheld the election results announced by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

·       South Africa deployed a National Observer Mission to observe both rounds of the DRC elections.

 

·       A 105-member South African Observer Mission (SAOM) observed the three phases of the election that included the campaigning, the elections day, and the counting process.

 

·       The SAOM noted that the election campaign process proceeded in a relatively peaceful environment.

 

·       Political candidates were able to conduct their election campaigns.

·       Rallies were well attended and in most cases went without incidents.

·       The SAOM noted with regret that lives were lost during isolated incidents of violence after the first round.

 

·       Generally the election campaigns proceeded peacefully and voters were not deterred or intimidated from going to voting stations on Election Day.

 

·       The SAOM concluded that elections were peaceful, credible, democratic and transparent.

 

·       On 22 September 2006, a new 500-member National Assembly was inaugurated replacing the transitional parliament created under the 2002 Global and All-Inclusive Agreement.

 

·       Landmark development in the history of the DRC, being the first democratically elected Parliament in over forty years.

 

·       According to the DRC's Constitution, the majority political party in parliament should elect a Prime Minister.

 

·       No party or coalition received an outright majority in the legislative elections - political parties formed alliances for control of Parliament.

 

·       The Alliance for Presidential Majority (AMP) aligned to President Kabila teamed up with Mr Antoine Gizenga and Mr Mobutu, amongst others.

·       This gave them the required majority to nominate a Prime Minister.

·       Mr. Vital Kamerhe was elected President of the National Assembly on 28 December 2006 with Mr. Antoine Gizenga being appointed, by means of a Presidential Ordinance, as Prime Minister on 30 December 2006.

 

·       Both Mr. Kamerhe and Mr. Gizenga are part of the dominant AMP-PALU-UDEMO coalition that has formed a majority in the National Assembly.

 

·       Senatorial elections took place on 19 January 2007 while the elections of Provincial Governors and Deputy Governors were held on 27 January 2007

 

·       AMP Alliance gained a majority of Senators in 7 of the 11­provinces

 

·       The remaining 4, including the town-province of Kinshasa, went to the UN (Union for the Nation) of Jean-Pierre Bemba (who was also elected Senator for Kinshasa).

 

·       More than 30 days after Gizenga's appointment as Prime Minister and 60 days after Kabila's inauguration as elected President, the DRC's first democratic Government was finally announced on 5 February 2007.

 

·       The Government is made up of a total of 60 executive members. 6 Ministers of State, 34 Ministers and 20 Deputy Ministers.

·       Prime Minister, Mr Antoine Gizenga, presented the DRC government's plan of action to the National Assembly on 24 February 2007.

 

·       Programme aimed at putting the war-torn country on the road to economic recovery and prioritises development in the DRC.

 

·       New measures to increase security, justice, fight against corruption and poverty are articulated.

·       The plan received overwhelming Parliamentary support.

South African Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development approach

·       Following successful elections, the challenge ahead is that of Post Conflict Reconstruction of the DRC.

 

·       South Africa's engagement in the DRC is guided by the African Agenda.

 

·       The programme is informed by the African Union's Post Conflict, Reconstruction and Development Programme (PCRD).

 

·       A number of SA Depts are already engaging in various projects to assist the DRC.

·       South Africa's engagement with the DRC focuses on 3 critical support areas, ie.

 

- Institutional Capacity Building; Security Sector Reform and Economic Development.

·       President Joseph Kabila, during his inauguration, identified five priorities for the DRC's post election reconstruction and development, ie. infrastructure; employment; education; water and electricity; security sector reform; and health, among others.

·       SA's plan is therefore in sync with priorities identified by the DRC government.

·       Security Sector Reform DOD, SAPS and DOJ&CD):

- The Security Sector Reform is of vital importance to the post electoral period in the DRC

 

- An integrated armed force is essential to protect the sovereignty of the country.

 

- A capable police force is also essential for maintaining law and order within the country.

 

- The objective of the assistance of the Department of Defence (DOD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) is to integrate and develop the capacity of the armed forces to contribute to the creation of a safe and secure environment for the citizens of the DRC.

 

- The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJ&CD) is to assist in the capacity building of the judiciary.

Institutional Capacity Building (DFA, DPSA, DHA, DPLG, and Housing):

Capacity building of state institutions is essential for the efficient working of the state institutions.

- DFA: capacity building for the DRC's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (training of diplomats).

- DPSA: public service census and the development of a training academy for public servants.

- DPLG: capacity building for the DRC provincial and local government, formulation and implementation of the Organic Law for the DRC Provinces.

- Home Affairs: training of immigration and civic services officials; provision of relevant equipment and infrastructure.
 

- Housing plans to provide technical expertise in the field of housing.

- Assistance will be provided in developing enabling legislations to develop housing and urban renewal projects.

·       Economic Development (DTI, DOA, DOT, DME)

 

- Economic recovery constitutes a major challenge for the DRC

 

- South Africa, together with the DRC, is exploring measures to unlock investment and trade opportunities in the country.

 

- Targeted areas of intervention are: infrastructure development (DOT and DPW); electrification and mining (DME); spatial development initiatives (DTI) and promotion /development of Agriculture ( DOA);capacity building in revenue collection (Treasury and SARS).

·      
Conclusion

 

·       Political and economic stability in the DRC will impact positively in the Great lakes and SADC regions.

 

·       The continued support of the international community remains critical.

 

·       The reconstruction and development process must be owned and managed by the Congolese people.

 

·       South Africa therefore sees herself as a partner for peace,   reconstruction and development in DRC.

 

Mindful of the funding challenges and to successfully pursue the post conflict programme, South Africa will need to pursue trilateral co-operation with identified international partners.

 

THANK YOU