Submit this form
Home News Videos Music Photos Facebook Twitter Friends Newsletter Podcasts Mobile RSS
US Pledges Continued Support to DR Congo

VOA News - October 29, 2006

Butty's Report on Roundtable with Secretary Frazer audio clip

US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer says the United States will continue to be a partner of the Congolese people in their post-conflict reconstruction no matter who wins tomorrow's presidential vote. Secretary Frazer spoke in Washington Friday during a pre-election roundtable with a select group of African journalists.

VOA English to Africa reporter James Butty who attended the roundtable quotes assistant secretary Frazer as saying she expects Sunday's presidential run-off election in the Democratic Republic of Congo to be free and fair. She says the poll provides an opportunity for the Congolese people to invest in their future.

"We hope for a high turnout on Sunday to provide broad support for a new era of democracy in the Congo. This is an extraordinary opportunity for the Congolese people to invest in their future. This is a chance to impress upon all aspiring leaders that in Congo, as in our democracy, the power of a government comes from the consent of the electorate," Frazer said.

Secretary Frazer says both President Joseph Kabila and his challenger Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba have given assurances they will respect the outcome of the election.

"Secretary Rice had an opportunity to meet with President Kabila at the UN General Assembly in September, and he made the point that democracy requires losers, and he was prepared to lose if that's what the electorate decided. And so I do think the Congolese people have a good chance, and that both candidates have committed to a code of conduct, they've committed to accepting the results of the elections," Frazer said.

Secretary Frazer says the United States has no preference in terms who wins tomorrow's vote. But she says the US, under the leadership of President Bush, has supported the Congolese people throughout their civil conflict and will continue to do so no matter who wins Sunday's presidential vote

"Certainly we will continue to be a strong partner with the government. We also will continue to work with them on economic development, on military integration, on post-conflict reconstruction. Our USAID mission in particular has the lead in trying to assist the Congolese people in restoring their economy by reaching out at the local level. So we will continue with that assistance and support," Frazer said.

Secretary Frazer hopes whoever wins Sunday's vote will reach out to the other factions in a bi-partisan way in the same manner that the Congolese work together during their transitional period. She says the international community, under the banner of the International Committee for Support to the Transition in the DRC or CIAT will continue to put pressure on both parties to respect the Sun City Accord.

Let us know what you think of this report and other stories on our website. Send your views to AFRICA@VOANEWS.COM, and include your phone number. Or, call us here in Washington, DC at (202) 205-9942. After you hear the VOA identification, press 30 to leave a message. We want to hear what you have to say!    


Related articles


  1. Felix Tshisekedi Sworn In as DR Congo President (January 24, 2019)
  2. Constitutional Court Declares Tshisekedi Winner of Presidential Election (January 19, 2019)
  3. Felix Tshisekedi Vows to Be the President of All Congolese (January 10, 2019)
  4. Felix Tshisekedi Elected DR Congo President (January 10, 2019)
  5. DR Congo Delays Results of December Election (January 6, 2019)
  6. Botswana Urges Joseph Kabila to Step Down (February 26, 2018)
  7. No elections in DR Congo in December without electronic voting machines: INEC (February 13, 2018)
  8. US Warns DR Congo Against Electronic Voting for Delayed Election (February 12, 2018)
  9. Felix Tshisekedi accuses INEC of illegally prolonging Kabila's mandate (October 24, 2017)
  10. DRC Seeks Arrest of Presidential Candidate Moise Katumbi (May 19, 2016)
  11. Papa Wemba Is Buried in Kinshasa (May 4, 2016)
  12. Papa Wemba Awarded Highest National Honor as Thousands Pay Tribute (May 2, 2016)
  13. Rights Groups: DR Congo Must Free Pro-democracy Activists (April 13, 2015)
  14. Police Open Fire on Crowd Protesting Election Law Change (January 19, 2015)
  15. Etienne Tshisekedi Evacuated to Belgium for Medical Treatment (August 16, 2014)
  16. Kerry Calls on Kabila to Honor Constitution (May 4, 2014)
  17. Kerry in DR Congo for Security Talks (May 3, 2014)
  18. DR Congo Takes Chairmanship of COMESA at Summit in Kinshasa (February 26, 2014)
  19. DR Congo Honors Nelson Mandela, Hero and Model for Humanity (December 6, 2013)
  20. Kabila Congratulates Congo Army for Defeating M23 Rebels (October 30, 2013)
  21. DR Congo Eases Process for Starting a New Business (June 3, 2013)
  22. Regional Leaders Sign DR Congo Peace Deal (February 24, 2013)
  23. The M23 Rebels Want to Overthrow Kabila? Nonsense (November 28, 2012)
  24. Protests Against M23 Rebels, Government and UN Spread (November 22, 2012)
  25. Thousands Protest M23 Capture of Goma, Turn on Government and UN (November 21, 2012)
  26. DR Congo Officials Vow to Defend Goma Against M23 Rebels (November 19, 2012)
  27. At high-level meeting, Ban urges political solution to crisis in eastern DR Congo (September 27, 2012)
  28. US Cuts Military Aid to Rwanda Over Support to Rebels in DR Congo (July 21, 2012)
  29. DR Congo, Rwanda Sign Pact to Fight Rebels in Eastern Congo (July 15, 2012)
  30. Police Investigate Former Prime Minister for Corruption (May 14, 2012)


Live TV Congo Radio en ligne Radio
Available on App Store
Get it on Google Play



Contact Us | About Us | Édition en Français | French Edition

© CongoPlanet.com. All rights reserved.