elections are over
The elections are over, the Supreme Court has made its' ruling and Mr. Joseph Kabila is the President elect of the DRC. He will be sworn in tomorrow. I read that dozens of dignitaries from all over Africa will be in attendance.
Yesterday I saw 31 truckloads of FARDC, GSSP troops and National Police rolling east on the main boulevard downtown, all armed. There must have been upward of a thousand. Nobody seemed very concerned by this. The US embassy told me they have been moving up and down the boulevard like that for 2-3 days. They also say the reason is the gov is moving the 7th Integrated Brigade, that had been surrounding Bemba's area, out of the city and replacing them with other troops. The UN says they are rehearsing for the big parade to be held on the swearing in day. "Ok, we are going to show you guys where you are going to be marching. Remember to turn right just past the travel agency. You back there! Wake up!"
I was in Beni on the night the Supreme Court announced its' decision confirming Mr. Kabila's election. 15 minutes afterward the streets filled with thousands, and I mean thousands, of people celebrating. Running up and down, waving flags and banners, shouting, chanting, blowing whistles and dancing. There were just a few cars and motorcycles and they were tooting their horns.
The unusual thing about all this was, except for the motorcycle and car drivers, everybody appeared to be between 8 and 16 years old, and mostly 12 to 14. It was as if every household in town told their more excitable children, "go outside and play." So they did.
So far everybody has been very, very surprised by how peaceful this election has been. Mr. Bemba stated during the campaign he would resume the war if he were not satisfied with the vote. But in the event, the Congolese told me he told his followers not to make trouble. I don't know what changed his mind. I do know the people of the country do not want the war to start up again.
Now, assuming no trouble tomorrow, comes the interesting part-building the country. They have a ways to go to. A guy told me the international community contributes 9 million dollars a month for National Police salaries and he didn't think much, if any, of it made it to the officers.
Yesterday I saw 31 truckloads of FARDC, GSSP troops and National Police rolling east on the main boulevard downtown, all armed. There must have been upward of a thousand. Nobody seemed very concerned by this. The US embassy told me they have been moving up and down the boulevard like that for 2-3 days. They also say the reason is the gov is moving the 7th Integrated Brigade, that had been surrounding Bemba's area, out of the city and replacing them with other troops. The UN says they are rehearsing for the big parade to be held on the swearing in day. "Ok, we are going to show you guys where you are going to be marching. Remember to turn right just past the travel agency. You back there! Wake up!"
I was in Beni on the night the Supreme Court announced its' decision confirming Mr. Kabila's election. 15 minutes afterward the streets filled with thousands, and I mean thousands, of people celebrating. Running up and down, waving flags and banners, shouting, chanting, blowing whistles and dancing. There were just a few cars and motorcycles and they were tooting their horns.
The unusual thing about all this was, except for the motorcycle and car drivers, everybody appeared to be between 8 and 16 years old, and mostly 12 to 14. It was as if every household in town told their more excitable children, "go outside and play." So they did.
So far everybody has been very, very surprised by how peaceful this election has been. Mr. Bemba stated during the campaign he would resume the war if he were not satisfied with the vote. But in the event, the Congolese told me he told his followers not to make trouble. I don't know what changed his mind. I do know the people of the country do not want the war to start up again.
Now, assuming no trouble tomorrow, comes the interesting part-building the country. They have a ways to go to. A guy told me the international community contributes 9 million dollars a month for National Police salaries and he didn't think much, if any, of it made it to the officers.
posted by Carl at 11:24 PM
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