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Sub Saharan Africa

Congo (Democratic Republic)

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Map of Democratic Republic of Congo Last reviewed: 17 March 2008

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POLITICS

The TNG, originally planned for 2 years, was (constitutionally) extended twice. The new constitution was passed, approved by referendum in December 2005 and promulgated on 18 February 2006. The first democratic elections for over 40 years took place in July and October 2006. Joseph Kabila was elected President with 58.05% of the vote in the second round. He was inaugurated as President on 6 December 2006 for a 5-year term.

The elected National Assembly held its opening session on 22 September 2006. The PPRD party of President Kabila took 114 of 500 seats, the largest number of any political party, and controlled more than 200 through its political allies. On 19 January 2007 a 108 seat Senate was indirectly elected, with the PPRD again taking the largest share of seats (22), with the MLC (party of Jean-Pierre Bemba) obtaining 14. Parliamentarians have a 5-year mandate.

Political veteran Antoine Gizenga was named as Prime Minister on 30 December 2006. President Kabila and PM Gizenga announced a government of 60 Ministers on 5 February 2007, which saw several new names enter the Congolese political scene. Jean-Pierre Bemba was forced into exile in Portugal following violence between armed elements under his command and the Congolese army in March 2007 and has yet to return to the country. Political progress since the elections has been extremely slow.

The DRC also continues to be affected by violence and insecurity, especially in the east where the insurgency of rebel General Nkunda, and the continued presence of Rwandan rebels, have displaced hundreds of thousands and created an ongoing humanitarian disaster. The ill-disciplined and poorly-paid Congolese armed forces continue to pose a threat to civilians across the country, and the needs of the Congolese population remain immense.

BBC News Country Profile: Democratic Republic of Congo
BBC News: Africa

HUMAN RIGHTS

Abuses of human rights and humanitarian standards by the remaining rebel militias and Congolese army continue at a high level, particularly in the east of the country. There are frequent reports of summary execution of civilians, widespread rape and sexual violence, banditry and forced labour. Ethnic tensions are high in the east and north-east of the country, where violence displaced large numbers of civilians during 2007 and humanitarian needs are acute. Reports of intimidation and arbitrary arrest of human rights workers, journalists and political leaders have remained high since the election period. Justice for victims of human rights abuses has been sparse, but in 2006 some trials were carried out in the DRC, and perpetrators of abuses sent to prison. 2006 also saw the transfer of former militia leader Thomas Lubanga to the International Criminal Court, on charges of war crimes, followed in 2007 by fellow Ituri militia leader Germain Katanga.

Human Rights Annual Report 2006

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