Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides)- The Catholic Bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo have called for vigilance and respect for the rule of democracy as the country is about to vote in the second round of presidential and provincial elections. In a statement with the title “The Truth will make you free: the verdict of the booths in transparency”. “In this final stage of the electoral process, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Congo invites the national and international communities while there is still time to help Congo avoid further harm” the Bishops say recalling their right to express moral opinion on the elections whenever this is necessary to defend basic human rights or the salvation of souls”. The Bishops say the purpose of the statement is to “illuminate the consciences of the faithful and, exercising our prophetic mission, offer our contribution to the building of a rule of law and the moral and material reconstruction of our country”.
With regard to the first round of presidential elections (30 July 2006), the Bishops express appreciation for all “who took part in the civic and electoral education which enabled our citizens to vote with responsibility”. Positive elements of the elections include: “participation of the people en masse, diffusion of electoral offices, efficient logistics, peaceful placing and counting of votes”. However the Bishops lament “irregularities, manipulation or cases of fraud reported by several observers, unequal media coverage, publication of results in a climate of tension”.
For the second round the Bishops hope “the truth of the vote will be accepted with calm and serenity. Sacred Scriptures tell us “The Truth will make you free” (Jn 8,32)”.
With regard to violence in August in Kinshasa between militants of the two candidates (outgoing president Joseph Kabila and vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba), The Bishops say “the causes for the violence must be clarified in order to guarantee credibility and a successful outcome in the second round of voting. Both candidates aspiring to presidency must demonstrate their commitment and free themselves of armed military ready to take the people hostage”.
“Refusal to dialogue on the rules of the game, complete lack of army integration, irregularities in the voting, thirst for power as an end to itself, frustration accumulated in several years, intoxication of public opinion by certain media and intolerance are among the main causes of the violence”.
In the statement the Bishops say another danger to avoid is the “balkanisation ” of the country: “in the face of a threatening break between the east and west of the country…with all the people we say no to any attempt to balkanise Congo divide and exploit it at will. Territorial integrity and national sovereignty are not negotiable. We invite our co-citizens to set aside behaviour such as ethnic or regional discrimination which favours balkanisation”.
In the statement the Bishops urge voters to place their ballot “ to express clearly their choice of president and provincial representatives” and say they hope “the decisions of the sovereign people will be fully respected”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 6/10/2006 righe 46 parole 590)
