Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Fides Service)- “I have promised to lead the people to elections and my promise will be kept” said President Joseph Kabila during a solemn ceremony yesterday 16 May in Kinshasa for the adoption of a new Constitution.
“The adoption of a new constitution is a decisive step in the process which will lead to free and democratic elections in Democratic RDC” said President Kabila.
The adoption of the new constitution is in fact the first step towards presidential and parliamentary elections, initially planned for June 2005 but which will probably be postponed.
The new constitution replaces an interim constitution adopted in 2002 under the aegis of South Africa whose president Thabo Mbeki was charged by the African Union to mediate in the country’s civil which started in 1998. A global agreement signed in Pretoria (South Africa) in 2002, to put an end to the conflict, included the formation of a national unity interim government with the task of adopting a new Constitutions and general elections to mark the end of the interim period. The agreement stipulated that the elections due to be held on 30 June this year may be postponed for no longer than 12 months. According to the new constitution elections will be held in June 2006.
The new constitution must be confirmed referendum within 6 months of its approval by parliament. The text envisages a presidential mandate of 5 years, and a possible second mandate, free primary education. It also introduces a balance of power among state organs and recognition of all the different ethnic groups present in Congo in 1960 the year of independence from Belgium. The article on ethnicity regard mainly Tutsi citizens of Rwandan origin, most of whom moved here during the period of Belgian rule.
Present for the ceremony also President Mbeki who confirmed his personal commitment and that of the African Union to accompany the country to peace and democracy. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 17/5/2005 righe 32 parole 370)
