SC/8800
4 August 2006
Security Council Pays Tribute to Citizens of Democratic Republic of Congo for Free, Peaceful 30 July Elections
Presidential Statement Appeals to Congolese to Receive Election Results in Same Spirit of Civic Responsibility
NEW YORK, 3 August (UN Headquarters) -- The Security Council today paid tribute to the citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who, on 30 July 2006, had taken part in great numbers, freely and peacefully, in democratic elections of historical importance for their nation.
In a statement read out by the world body's President for the month, Nana Effah-Apenteng (Ghana) (document S/PRST/2006/36), the Council appealed to the Congolese to receive the election results -- which could take up to three weeks to tabulate -- with the same spirit of civil responsibility. It looked forward to the official announcement of the results by the Independent Electoral Commission.
Similarly, the Council urged all political actors in the country to continue to work to ensure that the electoral process proceeded in a free, transparent and peaceful manner, in accordance with the agreed timetable. And it called on political leaders to refrain from making inflammatory speeches.
The Council noted that the electoral campaign and the voting process had taken place largely in a calm environment, but it deplored the recent incidents, particularly in Kinshasa, Mbuji Mayi and Mweka.
The meeting began at 12:51 p.m. and ended at 12:57 p.m.
Presidential Statement
The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2006/36 reads as follows:
"The Security Council pays tribute to the citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo who, on 30 July 2006, took part in great numbers, freely and peacefully, in democratic elections of historical importance for their nation. It appeals to them to receive the results with the same spirit of civic responsibility, and to display the same commitment in the subsequent polls, with a view to ensuring the success of the democratic process.
"The Security Council expresses its appreciation to the Independent Electoral Commission for the untiring efforts they made to ensure that the polls could take place in the best possible conditions, and looks forward to the official announcement of the results by the Commission. It expresses its support to the Committee of the Wise chaired by President Joachim Chissano, whose role contributes greatly to the serenity and fairness of the electoral process.
"The Security Council expresses its gratitude to the United Nations Mission, MONUC, as well as to all the international partners of the Democratic Republic of the Congo who provided support to the electoral process, in particular its African partners, and especially South Africa, as well as the European Union and the force it has temporarily deployed during this period.
"The Security Council notes that the electoral campaign and the voting process took place largely in a calm environment. It deplores the incidents which occurred in recent days, in particular in Kinshasa, Mbuji Mayi and Mweka. It endorses the opinion of the International Committee in Support to the Transition (CIAT), who welcomed, in this context, the work of the national police forces.
"The Security Council urges all political actors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to continue to work to ensure that the electoral process proceeds in a free, transparent and peaceful manner, in accordance with the agreed timetable. The Council calls on political leaders to refrain from making inflammatory speeches.
"The Security Council underlines that those elections will mark the completion of a long period of rule by transitional institutions, and the start of democratic rule. The people who will be destined to lead the country will bear the important responsibility to provide long-term foundations for the restoration of peace and stability, national reconciliation and the establishment of the rule of law in the Democratic Republic of the Congo."
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