SG/SM/10281
AFR/1307
28 December 2005

Secretary-General Congratulates Democratic Republic of Congo for Successful Constitutional Referendum

NEW YORK, 23 December (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General congratulates the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Independent Electoral Commission for the successful conduct of their constitutional referendum on 18 and 19 December, despite the tremendous challenges which they faced.

The relatively high voter turnout and the fact that the polling was conducted in a largely free, fair and peaceful manner attest to the determination of the Congolese people to participate in deciding their nation's future.  The United Nations remains committed to supporting the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in this historic process.

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