Democratic

Security Council extends arms embargo in DR of Congo

31 July 2006
The Security Council voted unanimously today to extend by another year its arms embargo against militia groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), condemning the continuing illicit flow of weapons into and around the vast African country.
Congolese historic elections

DR Congo wins UN praise for general calm as it holds first free elections in 45 years

31 July 2006
Secretary-General Kofi Annan led a chorus of United Nations voices today in congratulating the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for the largely peaceful manner in which the vast African country has held its first free and fair elections in 45 years.

New committee to help support DR Congo’s transition – UN

29 July 2006
The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) today reported the establishment of a new ‘Committee of the Wise’ to facilitate the transition to democracy in the country, where elections tomorrow will mark the first free vote there in 45 years.
Ross Mountain

UN envoy urges all Congolese to vote in Sunday’s historic poll

28 July 2006
As polling stations across the vast reaches of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) prepare to receive tens of millions of voters on Sunday, a United Nations envoy to the country said that security conditions have been met, as he urged all Congolese to participate.

DR Congo: rebel coalition in east lays down arms in UN-brokered deal

27 July 2006
Just a few a days ahead of historic elections planned for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a major rebel coalition plaguing the eastern part of the country has agreed to put down its weapons in a breakthrough brokered by the United Nations.
Congolese with their voting cards

As Congolese election approaches, UN mission says rights repression must stop

26 July 2006
Affirming that security forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have been routinely abusing journalists and other civilians since the start of its election campaign, the United Nations mission in the country (MONUC) calls for a guarantee of free speech and an end to impunity in a report released today.

DR Congo: aid needed for thousands fleeing or returning in east, UN agencies say

25 July 2006
United Nations agencies called today for more humanitarian aid for the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as thousands either flee their homes or return to decimated villages due to persistent violence in the run-up to historic national elections.

DR Congo: UN envoy heads to Ituri to assess election readiness on eve of poll

24 July 2006
With less than a week to go before the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) holds its first free elections in 45 years, the senior United Nations envoy to the country is travelling to its troubled north-eastern province of Ituri to gauge the state of readiness there.

Annan warns against political repression in lead-up to Congolese elections

21 July 2006
Expressing concern over reports of political repression in the lead-up to the historic elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) planned for 30 July, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today urged all Congolese, and especially the candidates, to ensure that the electoral process is free, fair and open.

Condemning rights abuses, UN official urges Congolese authorities to respect law

19 July 2006
Condemning recent abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where demonstrators have faced opposition in violation of their right to freedom of expression, a United Nations official in the country today called on the authorities to respect its new Constitution.