SG/SM/10355
AFR/1334
23 February 2006

Secretary-General Welcomes Promulgation of Constitution, Adoption of Electoral Law in Democratic Republic of Congo

NEW YORK, 22 February (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the promulgation on 17 February of the Constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following its adoption by popular referendum on 18 December 2005, and the adoption on 21 February by the Parliament of the electoral law.  These steps mark important milestones in the history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Secretary-General looks forward to the early publication by the Independent Electoral Commission of an electoral calendar providing for the timely holding of free, fair and transparent elections.  The United Nations remains deeply committed to providing all possible support for the Congolese peace process, including for the conduct of the elections.

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