DR Congo’s Presidential Election Results in a Run-off Vote
August 21, 2006

The result of the historic presidential election on July 30th in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) indicates that there will be a run-off vote between the two leading candidates. Incumbent President Joseph Kabila received 44.81% of the votes mainly in eastern DRC, while Jean-Pierre Bemba received 20.03% largely in the west and in the capital. None of the candidates managed to achieve the more than 50% needed for victory in the first round and so Kabila and Bemba will face a run-off election on October 29th.

The second round of voting means Kabila and Bemba will be forced to broaden their appeal beyond their core supporters. According to Caty Clement, the Central Africa project director at International Crisis Group, “It’s going to force both men to build alliances.” She added, “If we end up with two big blocks opposing each other, that’s the idea behind democracy.”

In a statement issued by the United Nations Secretary-General Spokesman, Kofi Annan “…urges the Congolese parties and candidates to abide by the electoral law in the resolution of any disputes related to the electoral process.” The U.N. has announced its continued support for the Congolese as they strive to attain lasting stability, democracy, and economic development in their country.

Although for the most part violence has been avoided, it could escalate as the October election nears. Just as the results were announced on July 30th, a gun battle waged between security forces loyal to Kabila and Bemba near the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) headquarters. The incident killed five people according to U.N. sources. As a result, Congolese police and U.N. peacekeeping troops have since been patrolling the capital city of Kinshasa.

Just recently, soldiers loyal to Kabila and supporters of Bemba again engaged in a gun battle, consequently trapping foreign diplomats in Kinshasa. Witnesses said presidential guards, using tanks and heavy machine guns, opened fire around a house where U.N. officials and ambassadors were meeting with Bemba. Those trapped by the gun battle include the U.N. mission chief for DRC, William Swing, and ambassadors from the US, China, France, and other countries according to a U.N. spokesman. “This seems to have started when the presidential guard went to disarm what they call militias there,” said U.N. mission spokesman Kemal Saiki.

DR CONGO RESULTS:
(Source: CEI)

Joseph Kabila: 45%
Jean-Pierre Bemba: 20%
Antoine Gizenga: 13%
Nzanga Mobutu: 5%
Oscar Kashala: 4%

Turnout: 70%

Click here to read additional information on the background and importance of the elections in the DRC.

Sources

“DR Congo run-off could be best result,” BBC News, 8/21/06.

“Secretary-General welcomes announcement of provisional election results in Democratic Republic of Congo; urges respect for final results,” United Nations Secretary-General at ReliefWeb, 8/21/06.  

“Run-off between Kabila and Bemba in presidential election,” UN Mission in DR Congo, 8/21/06.