Democratic

DR Congo: foreign combatants “not a threat” to upcoming elections

17 July 2006
Some of the 8,000 foreign combatants that remain in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after its devastating civil war represent a menace to civilians, but they do not seriously threaten a successful outcome for the historic national elections planned for 30 July, according to the assessment of a United Nations official.

DR Congo: UN agency reports mass displacement in militia-ridden northeast

14 July 2006
Major population displacements in the Ituri district in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have resulted from renewed fighting between the national army and rebel militias, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reported today.

DR Congo: UN envoy urges media to play constructive role in electoral process

13 July 2006
As the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) prepares to hold its first free elections in 45 years, the senior United Nations envoy to the country today urged journalists and other media professionals to play a constructive role in the massive electoral process.

DR of Congo: UN mission investigates use of police force against demonstrators

12 July 2006
As historic elections set for 30 July in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) draw closer, the UN Organization Mission in the country (MONUC) said today it has opened an inquiry into yesterday’s violent dispersal of a demonstration in the capital Kinshasa, allegedly because the event’s organizers lacked proper authorization.

UN mission condemns murder of Congolese journalist

10 July 2006
The United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) has “categorically” condemned the murder of independent Congolese journalist Bapuwa Mwamba, who was killed by a group of armed men at his home in the capital city of Kinshasa on Saturday.

As DR of Congo prepares to vote, militia fire hits UN helicopter, injuring pilot

7 July 2006
The pilot of a United Nations peacekeeping helicopter in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was wounded yesterday when militiamen opened fire on his aircraft in the north-east of the vast country, where the world body is preparing for the largest and most challenging elections it has ever helped organize.
Council President Amb. de La Sablière

UN Security Council told that July election in DR Congo will ‘not be an end in itself’

6 July 2006
Despite the deteriorating political climate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the head of last month’s Security Council mission there, said today that conditions have been met for elections planned for the end of the month but he emphasized that the poll will ‘not be an end in itself’ and much still remains to be done in the impoverished Central African country.