Congo’s election offers signs of hope

Voting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) first election in some 40 years went off peacefully at least by the country’s own standards.

Gunfire was reported in the capital of Kinshasa that killed one, a polling station was bombed in the central town of Mbuyi-Maji and another was burned down in the southern territory of Kasai, but the incidents were considered marginal, and so far, the process has been declared a success.

While there are no figures on actual voter turnout, onlookers in the regions say it appeared substantial. 43% of Congolese were registered to vote.

Some voters were kept away by the opinion of the Catholic church in Kinshasa. The church told voters to boycott the election because of what it saw as irregularities in the process. However, the church in the more trouble eastern section of the country encouraged voters to partake in the election.

The international community pumped in roughly US$420 million to assist in the elections and the peacekeeping operation is being described as the biggest and most complex ever organized by the UN.

17,000 peacekeepers are backed up by 1,100 Europeaon Union troops along with the Congolese police.

That force, however, could do little to make all competing parties happy. Two former warlords running for office say they were cheated in the electoral process.

In all 31 candidates are running, many of whom are rebel leaders who fought during the Congo’s civil war which saw some 4 million people killed.

Results from the election are expected in roughly three weeks as poor infrastructure in a country roughly the size of Western Europe makes transporting ballots difficult.

Joseph Kabila – who proceeded his assassinated father to the presidency in 2003 – is considered the front runner. His chief opposition is believed to be Jean-Pierre Bemba — one of four vice presidents appointed to the transitional government that was established to help end hostilities between rival groups three years ago.

One rebel leader — General Laurent Nkunda – is said to have abstained from the democratic process with the aim of disrupting the eastern Congo with his private army in the future.

Canadian-listed companies with major assets in the DRC saw their shares climb on the day, although analyst say the upswing had more to do with a rise in copper and gold prices than it did with the election.

Adastra Minerals (AAA-T, AAA-L) was up 2.7% to $3.34, Banro (BAA-T, BAA-X) was up 2.4% to $11.05, Moto Goldmines (MGL-T, MOE-L) was up 4.4% to $6.35, Katanga Mining (KAT-T) was up 2.8% to $5.50 and First Quantum (FM-T, FQM-L) was up 5.2% to $51.57.

Anvil Mining (AVM-T, AVM-A), a company with copper assets in southeastern Congo, was off slightly, falling 2 to $8.00.