Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) - "We will see what steps Etienne Tshisekedi will take, after having repeatedly proclaimed he had won the elections," says to Fides Fr. Loris Cattani, a Xaverian missionary with a long experience in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where yesterday, December 9, outgoing President Joseph Kabila was declared the winner of the presidential elections held on November 28. According to figures released by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), Kabila obtained 8,830,994 votes, representing 48.95%, his main opponent, Etienne Tshisekedi, obtained 5,864,775 votes, representing 32.33%. The latter accused the victim of electoral fraud by stating that, according to data in his possession, he was elected with 54% of the votes, against 26% of Kabila. "I consider these results a provocation against our people and reject them en bloc", Tshisekedi said: "Therefore I consider myself as from today the elected President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo".
Kinshasa is heavily guarded by the military and circulation is almost nothing. "For the moment, this security has blocked any protest in the capital, but one must wait for the development in the next few hours", says Fr. Loris
As for the reactions in other areas of the DRC, Fr. Loris says he learned from direct sources that "in Goma (capital of North Kivu in the north-east) there was a festive atmosphere last night".
"Given the need to wait a few days to comment on the election results, I still have the impression that the percentage with which Kabila was re-elected is far from the "Stalinist ", around 98% of some neighboring Countries. My humble opinion is already a positive sign of a certain correctness of the vote, although at a local level several electoral frauds have been reported. At a central level of the Independent Electoral Commission (where the votes from all polling stations in the country converged), perhaps there was more correctness, because as I said, Kabila did not even reach 50% plus one of votes (the absolute majority ). This is, however, personal impressions " states Fr. Loris.
With regard to the data published by Tshisekedi, Fr. Loris points out that "since November 30 Tshisekedi had begun to release percentages that demonstrated that he was the winner, but I do not know how he could get them in such a short space of time".
While tensions remain high in Kinshasa, there have been reported incidents linked to Tshisekedi’s supporters in some foreign capitals. "Within the Congolese diaspora there is a very active part in favor of Tshisekedi's party," explains Fr. Loris. "In Brussels, Paris, London, Toronto, Johannesburg and Pretoria and also in Italy there is a very favorable Congolese opposition diaspora".
"Given the previous declarations it is unlikely that Tshisekedi steps back. Let us see what position he will take", concluded the missionary. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 10/12/2011)
