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Publié 03-07-2009 17:51   

Congo Brazzaville: Pre-election tension & threat of war

Congo Brazzaville: Pre-election tension & threat of war

With the presidential election approaching on the 12th July, opposition factions are already expecting electorale fraud. According to African Union observers at the 2007 parliamentary polls and the 2008 local election, both organized by the Congo-Brazzaville electoral commission, fraud marred the credibility of both elections.

In anticipation of civil breakdown and violence in the lead-up to polling day, the country's National Security Councel is deploying around 17,000 security staff to guard polling stations, keep order at rallies, and to protect candidates standing in the election.

An signed agreement between media regulation bodies of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo, has out-lawed political propaganda programmes for any politicians in each country from being broadcast in the neighbouring country.

Maixent Hanimbat, chairman of the Forum for Governance and Human Rights, noted, "Simmering discontent", in the capital Brazzaville, with frequently occuring breakdowns in essential services such as healthcare, water and electricity.

He added that discontent amongst opposition factions following election results, who expect to see a victory for incumbent President Nguesso in what they highly anticipate to see as a result manipulated by electoral fraud, could lead to civil war.

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