Tanzanian president calls for strong SADC support in DRC vote

TANZANIAN President Jakaya Kikwete has called for strong regional support for forthcoming polls in the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying the bloc had to “plan responses and actions for its election.”

The upcoming vote in the central African giant was a “matter of urgency” Kikwete said in Windhoek after talks with Namibian leader Hifikepunye Pohamba last week. “SADC (the Southern African Development Community) has responsibilities towards the DRC and we should plan responses and actions for the election process there,” he said while on a three-day state visit.”The DRC has no institutions of governance or a properly functioning civil service,” said Kikwete.Namibia currently chairs SADC’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation while Tanzania is the deputy chair.Pohamba emphasised the “historical task” of SADC in respect of the DRC.”We have a historical task of contributing to the holding of peaceful, free and fair elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said, adding “it is a task that requires dedication and commitment.”The DRC elections will be the first free democratic vote in over 40 years and will mark the end of the volatile political transition in the vast central African country that began in 2003 after years of civil war.Thirty-two candidates, including current DRC President Joseph Kabila, have been provisionally registered to run in the election, the date for which has been repeatedly postponed.A definitive date is expected to be announced on April 19.Pohamba last week announced that Namibia would open a diplomatic mission in Tanzania.- Nampa-AFP”SADC (the Southern African Development Community) has responsibilities towards the DRC and we should plan responses and actions for the election process there,” he said while on a three-day state visit.”The DRC has no institutions of governance or a properly functioning civil service,” said Kikwete.Namibia currently chairs SADC’s Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation while Tanzania is the deputy chair.Pohamba emphasised the “historical task” of SADC in respect of the DRC.”We have a historical task of contributing to the holding of peaceful, free and fair elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo,” he said, adding “it is a task that requires dedication and commitment.”The DRC elections will be the first free democratic vote in over 40 years and will mark the end of the volatile political transition in the vast central African country that began in 2003 after years of civil war.Thirty-two candidates, including current DRC President Joseph Kabila, have been provisionally registered to run in the election, the date for which has been repeatedly postponed.A definitive date is expected to be announced on April 19.Pohamba last week announced that Namibia would open a diplomatic mission in Tanzania.- Nampa-AFP