The Congo has conducted its second free election in 51 years and is the first that has been organized by the government. However, the election is suspected to be corrupt and 3 out of the 11 candidates have asked that the ballot be voided. This election has led to widespread violence around the country. There have been 14 deaths and about 100 have been injured. Most of those who were killed were murdered by troops that are in favor of President Joseph Kabila. The deaths were a cause of thousands of people crowding Kinshasa’s airport to welcome the opposition nominee Etienne Tshisekedi. There were soldiers (supposedly part Kabila’s Republican Guard) firing into the crowd who killed the 14 people. There has been other reported violence between groups at voting locations. Other violence has been blamed on the Lord’s Resistance Army. They are responsible for killing 13 people, raping a pregnant woman, and abducted 3 boys.
This election has gotten out of hand and it is hard to tell if the election can really be categorized as “free,” especially is the voting has been rigged. The freedom of expression is a right that is being violated here. People are not allowed to have a preference for who they want to vote for because they will be targeted by members of opposing parties. The right to life is also being violated here because people are being murdered over political beliefs. Special protections for children are not being represented because young boys are being abducted. The President is up for re-election so the army supporting him is trying to squash all other opposition. However, there are groups who do not want the President in power and are acting out against those who are fighting for him.
What can the Congo do to ensure more peaceful elections?
It is possible that some of the opposition groups could seek help from an outside (international) source. If human rights violations are occurring at this level, international organizations should recognize the problem and take action against these abuses. They can sanction the current government economically, they could stem the flow of arms to the army, but to let things go on as they are should not be permitted. These people have a right to choose their own leader and should not be targeted for their political beliefs. If wrongdoings like this continue, the people will rise up as in the Arab Spring, and then the government, no matter how powerful, will not be able to stop the people.
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