DRC ELECTIONS: RELIGIOUS GROUPS CALL FOR PEACE AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KINSHASA 001280 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO CG ELECTIONS SUBJECT: DRC ELECTIONS: RELIGIOUS GROUPS CALL FOR PEACE AND PATIENCE REF: A. KINSHASA 1250 ¶B. KINSHASA 1197 ¶1. (U) The National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the leaders of the five largest religious communities released August 12 separate statements congratulating the Congolese people for their maturity and calm during the July 30 election, and appealing to all Congolese to remain tolerant and patient while awaiting election results. Both statements call on the population to submit to the greater good of the nation, citing the need for national unity and peace. The declaration from the leaders of the five religious communities follows a similar appeal August 5 lauding the success of the presidential and legislative elections (ref A). The CENCO statement is the first public announcement on the elections made by its president, Archbishop Laurent Monsengwo, since his July 27 press conference urging all Catholics to vote (ref B) despite his earlier misgivings about "irregularities" in the electoral process. ¶2. (U) The CENCO declaration makes note of reports of alleged manipulation and fraud during the election, and states that the organization will be assessing the credibility of the elections after receiving the reports from various elections observer missions. The statement urged that the vote counting process be done with all transparency so that the "truth" of the ballot boxes can be known. CENCO, however, appealed as well to candidates and the Congolese people ultimately to respect the verdict of the ballot boxes. In conclusion, CENCO denounced any potential acts of violence after results are known, and recommended that those who may find themselves in the political minority take advantage of the rights guaranteed them by the DRC's constitution and play a constructive role in the future government. ¶3. (U) The declaration from the heads of the five religious communities struck a similar note, urging the Congolese people to respect the law and legal procedures after the publication of election results. The religious leaders further urged the Congolese to demonstrate their "maturity" while waiting for the vote counting process to conclude. In addition, the statement condemned any attempts to incite the population to violence that could result in death or the destruction of property. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: CENCO's statement is a welcome addition to the post-election environment, particularly as speculation mounts during the wait for official election results. It is worth noting that CENCO -- particularly Monsengwo -- only made passing mention of potential electoral "irregularities," and did not outright condemn the July 30 vote. Such a declaration, in addition to the appeal from the five other major religious communities, should help calm underlying tensions in the run-up to the announcement of provisional presidential results, which are expected by August 20. End comment. ¶5. (U) Post's unofficial translation of the CENCO declaration from the original French follows: PEACE IN THE TRUTH OF THE BALLOT BOXES Declaration of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) on the issue of national elections -- Conforming to its earlier positions, the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) strongly reaffirms that free, transparent and democratic elections constitute the legal and necessary way for winning political power. In addition, CENCO is pleased to see that the Congolese people went to the polls in large numbers, in an orderly and disciplined manner, with patience and tolerance, in calm and peace. CENCO congratulates the Congolese people for the maturity and democratic spirit which they demonstrated during the vote. For the work accomplished, CENCO thanks the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI),all the national and international observers, as well as the organizations they represent. -- The people have spoken; their voice must be heard! No person or institution, national or international, can ignore the will of the people. Only those freely elected by popular sovereignty are authorized to govern the state with legitimacy during the next term. KINSHASA 00001280 002 OF 003 This is why CENCO is concerned that all subsequent electoral operations take place in full transparency and without flaws, so that the truth of the ballot boxes can be known. Since elections on Sunday, July 30, 2006, in several places throughout the country, attempts at manipulation, deception, and fraudulent acts have indeed been noted. It is therefore important to ensure the credibility of the two (presidential and legislative) elections. The reports of national and international observers on this subject will be instructive. CENCO is examining them in order to assess the situation. -- CENCO, for its part, condemns all attempts to obtain power contrary to the truth of the ballot boxes. It is with this truth that peace will be safeguarded for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): it is why we invite all the Congolese people and candidates who took part in the elections to submit themselves to the verdict of the ballot boxes. -- For those who will be declared legally elected, we recommend that they demonstrate a high sense of national spirit in the service of the state which transcends party ideologies, regional and provincial tendencies, and attachments. That should show themselves to be true unifiers having in their hearts the governing of the new Congolese state with one sole goal: the greater interest of the nation and the consolidation of national unity which concerns all daughters and sons, citizens of the DRC. As for those who will be part of the constitutional minority, we call upon them to show a democratic spirit and to contribute to the government of the country by taking advantage of all the legal mechanisms granted to the political opposition by the constitution of our country (DRC constitution, Article 8). In so doing, they will prepare political alternatives for the future and will consolidate the democratic culture of our country. -- CENCO congratulates again the Congolese people for their profound desire for peace and national harmony. It calls on them again to avoid, under all circumstances, violent actions and reactions, and asks everyone to respect the law and legal procedures in claiming their rights. God bless the DRC and its people. Signed in Kinshasa, August 12, 2006 Frederic Cardinal Etsou, Archbishop of Kinshasa ¶L. Monsengwo Pasinya, Archbishop of Kisangani and President of CENCO Th. Tshibangu Tshishiku, Bishop of Mbuji-Mayi and Vice President of CENCO End text. ¶6. (U) Post's unofficial translation of the declaration from the heads of religions denominations from the original French follows: DECLARATION FROM THE HEADS OF RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS NOT TO COMPROMISE NATIONAL UNITY The heads of religious denominations, in light of speculation surrounding the presidential and legislative elections of July 30, 2006, awaiting the provisional results of the aforementioned vote, and in their historic role of placing themselves in the middle of the "village" with the view to safeguard unity and national harmony, make the following declaration: -- God gave the Democratic Republic of Congo a large country, and its people constitute a large nation. As such, the religious denominations consider our geographic, social, economic, cultural, political, and religious diversity as a strength and treasure that must first be integrated in order to consolidate our national unity; -- From the moment the posting of election results began at local compilation centers, religious leaders seized this opportunity to launch a vibrant appeal to all Congolese for calm and to demand of them again to show their maturity until the publication of final results; KINSHASA 00001280 003 OF 003 -- The heads of religious denominations vehemently condemn calls to violence and political manipulation which could undermine the unity of our country at the risk of needlessly compromising the electoral process already underway; -- The sons and daughters of the Democratic Republic of Congo must consider themselves as one sole body. When one part of the body suffers, it is all of the body which suffers; -- The blood of our compatriots who died to defend our homeland and national unity obliges us to work for nothing less than the greater interest of the nation; -- The heads of religious denominations firmly condemn the bloody conflicts of Saturday, August 6, 2006 in Sake in North Kivu and call upon the government to take all necessary measures to reestablish lasting peace in that corner of the Republic; -- The heads of religious denominations disapprove of any plans that would attempt to stir up the population, to take human lives, and to destroy public and private property; -- Let us bring ourselves together in love, justice, humility, courage, and responsibility to restore peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo and to reconstruct our dear and beautiful country so that the marvels God has given us can benefit each and all of us; -- We again call upon all believers to pray for the consolidation of peace and national unity. May all-powerful God bless and protect the Democratic Republic of Congo and its people. Signed in Kinshasa, August 12, 2006 For the Church of Christ in Congo, Monsignor Pierre Marini Bodho For the Islamic Community, Cheik Abdallah Mangala Luaba For the Independent Churches, Monsignor Simon Nzinga Maluka For the Kimbanguist Church, Reverend Mangala Mandubu For the Evangelical Churches, Bishop Albert Kankienza End text. MEECE