SADC sends pre-election team to DRC

THE SADC Parliamentary Forum has sent a seven-member pre-election assessment delegation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it was announced yesterday SADC Parliamentary Forum Secretary General Dr Kasuka Mutukwa told journalists in Windhoek that the seven, drawn from Parliaments in the region, arrived in the DRC on Monday.They are familiarising themselves with the environment on the ground and preparations for the presidential elections scheduled for July.

The assessment team consists of Alfred Junior (MP, MPLA party in Angola), Richard Msowoya (MP, Republican Party in Malawi), Bedwantee Virahsawmy (MP, Renamo party in Mozambique), Loide Kasingo (Swapo MP), Baleka Mbete (Speaker of the SA parliament, who is also mission leader) and Matthews Mulanda (MMD Zambia MP). Kasuka said the Parliamentary Forum was already on standby with 100 MPs to observe the elections in DRC.In 2004, the Forum observed elections in South Africa, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique, and in Mauritius in 2005.Kasuka said the Parliamentary Forum was already on standby with 100 MPs to observe the elections in DRC.In 2004, the Forum observed elections in South Africa, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique, and in Mauritius in 2005.