DR Congo: Ecumenical network demands vote recount

Two weeks after ther presidential and parliamentary election in the DR Congo the situation is still tense. As to the official result the acting president Joseph Kabila was reelected - now violent clashes between the supportes of the opposition and those of the government are feared. Up to now people stay calm, the Ecumenical Network on Central Africa (OENZ) reports. The UEM is member of the OENZ. On the other hand, there are signs for manipulations of the votes. „The preparations of the elections were chaotic Many of the 62.000 election offices were not equipped with the election material in time. Election observers report about several attempts to manipulate the results to the benefit of Kabila and his party", the OENZ writes in a press statement. The main radio and TV stations are reported to be controlled by the government and to have run the election campaign for the acting president. Voters tell about attempts at intimidation, some elections offices were burnt down. The OENZ now demands a vote recount and the appointment of an independent commission of inquiry. UEM executive secretary Dr Jochen Motte hopes for a peaceful solution: "Together with our member churches and our ecumenical partners we will keep on advocating for peace and reconciliation in the DR Congo."