DR Congo Elections: One More Try

[oberliner]

Looks like the observers are calling the election fair.

Fraud charges appear not to be holding up.

Anyone want to weigh in on this?

Will these elections help bring an end to the conflict there or will there continue to be more of the same?

AFP Article on elections:

DR Congo observers satisfied with poll despite fraud claims

KINSHASA (AFP) - A leading presidential candidate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) added his voice to allegations of irregularities in the elections here but the two main contenders and international observers remained satisfied with the poll.

Azaria Ruberwa, who is also one of four vice presidents, alleged "massive fraud" in the presidential election, mostly in favour of incumbent Joseph Kabila. He demanded a new vote be held "in all polling stations where serious irregularities were noted".

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060801/wl_afp/drcongovote_060801200709

Info on the horrors of DR Congo from the BBC (2004):

Report shows DR Congo rape horror

Fighters in the Democratic Republic of Congo have raped at least 40,000 women over the past six years, human rights agency Amnesty International reports.
All groups involved in the civil war committed extreme sexual violence during the civil war throughout the east of the country, it finds.

Despite a year of peace, survivors lack adequate medical care and many are dying needlessly, the agency adds.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3953747.stm

[Taxloss]

1. It's unlikely that this will change anything, sadly.

But kudos to them for giving it a go, it increases the chances of another try soon.

[Rex]

2. Why is it that the average life expectancy for middle and lower Africa

is mid 40s? Even in Iraq, someone can expect to hit the late 70s. They have oil in the Congo? :sarcasm:

[oberliner]

3. Africa seems not to be on the radar, sadly

Seems like politicians make a few trips, say a few empty words, and then proceed to do exactly nothing.

[killbotfactory]

5. We are doing more than nothing

http://www.madre.org/articles/afr/usinafrica.html

Unfortunately for them.

[Chulanowa]

6. I pray for Africa because IT is the true Holy Land...

The world's disinterest in the horrors happening on that continent disgust me to no end.

What I think is going on is that the politicians of the western world are waiting until all the Africans are dead before thinking about doing something. After all, Africa is no good to them if it's full of Africans.

[Taxloss]

4. It's one of the most resource-rich countries in the world.

Diamonds, coltan, gold, ivory, cobalt, timber of course ... that's part of the problem, everyone's fighting over getting a slice of very big money.