World News

Congo election peaceful ... for now

BUKAVU (AP) — Millions of voters took part in the Democratic Republic of Congo's first multiparty vote in more than 45 years July 30

Polling day in this war-torn country was orderly and peaceful, much to the delight of the international community, which spent $432 million (¥49 billion) on the polls and put $6 billion (¥687 billion) into Congo since 2002.

But after Congo's 25.7 million voters have voted, it remains to be seen whether their leaders will listen, and there are fears of a dangerous split between the vast African country's eastern and western regions.

Official results are not expected until Aug. 29, but early indications are that incumbent 35-year-old Joseph Kabila is leading

Across the east, Kabila is credited with ending the bloodshed that cost the lives of 3.9 million people. He is heading for a landslide victory there.

But in the west, he is being pushed hard by his strongest challenger Jean-Pierre Bemba.

Bemba is the 44-year-old son of a wealthy businessman and former leader of a rebel militia. He has loyal troops and has threatened to "set the country ablaze" if he thinks the polls are rigged.

"This east-west divide can be scary," says a United Nations official on condition of anonymity. "The catastrophic scenario would be Kabila winning the election in the first round with big support in the east and little in the west. If that happens the west will blow."

Shukan ST: Aug. 11, 2006

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