NEWS RELEASES
October 30, 2006 (2:25 p.m. EST)
No. 124
CANADA WELCOMES SECOND ROUND OF ELECTIONS IN THE
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of
International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages,
today congratulated the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on the
holding of the second round of presidential elections and of the provincial elections in
their country.
“I commend the Congolese citizens for their participation in, and commitment to, the
democratic process. This vote marks a historic step toward the return to peace in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo and the African Great Lakes region,” said Minister
MacKay. “Canada encourages the Democratic Republic of the Congo to form an
inclusive government representing all segments of Congolese society, and to foster
national unity and democratic development.”
“Canada will continue to support the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
and urges all Congolese political leaders to work together to address the needs of the
most vulnerable as they continue to strengthen democracy and the rule of law,” said
Minister Verner. “We hope these results will help to resolve the serious humanitarian
situation in this country.”
The Government of Canada has contributed $15 million in the last two years in support
of these elections, which has included sending Canadian observers and facilitating the
participation of international observers from Africa in both the first and second rounds.
As Co-Chair of the Group of Friends of the International Conference of the Great Lakes
Region, Canada has worked to strengthen regional engagement and cooperation
between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its neighbours.
For more information on Canada’s contributions to the DRC, please visit
http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/democraticrepublicofcongo and
http://www.international.gc.ca/world/embassies/DRC/menu-en.asp.
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613-995-1874
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Media Relations
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819-953-6354
http://www.cida.gc.ca
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