With numerous denunciations of the DRC elections violence this week, the international community was swift to condemn the excessive incidents of the past two weeks. The Belgian foreign minister, the MONUSCO’s SRSG, the UN joint office for Human Rights and the Commissioner of the African Union all made statements condemning the violence. The latter, Jean Ping, was in Kinshasa this week where he impressed on all parties the need to accept the outcome of the November elections:
"There will necessarily be only one winner (of the presidential elections)... The rules of the game must apply. Whoever can't become president this time must accept the results,"
He said. Navin Pillai, the UN special High Commissioner for Human Rights added:
“I am sure the Congolese people share my hope for peaceful, free and fair elections and a smooth exercise of their fundamental right to vote..... The kind of intimidation, threats, incitement, arbitrary arrests and violence that we have documented is unacceptable and has a chilling effect on voters,”
She concluded:
“The Government and leaders of political parties must make it clear that there is to be zero tolerance against any such actions which seriously limit the exercise of the right to vote[1].”
This strong denunciation is very important but it’s a paradox. In the same week of such terrible violence, the international community is reaching out to support the Government. Tomorrow, Joseph Zuma will head to Kinshasa to preside over the signing of a multi billion deal between DRC and South Africa for the rehabilitation and construction of a new hydro-electric plant at Inga on the Congo[2]. Kabila has clearly calculated to stage this high profile ceremony to coincide with his electoral campaign. I wonder whether Zuma and Kabila will have a critical discussion about what will happen if he is not re-elected in December 2011?
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