Independence Day

Tomorrow is Independence Day. Forty-six years ago, Congo declared its independence from Belgium and Patrice Lumumba delivered what was, in my opinion, one of the greatest speeches I have ever heard. (You can read an English translation online here.)

Typically it is a day for parties, but this year is a bit difference because it marks the end of the original Transitional Government agreement. At one time, elections were required by law to be held by tomorrow. But now they are scheduled for July 30. The new Constitution allows for the extension of the Transition, so those folks who claim that there will be no legitimate government as of Saturday are, at least technically speaking, wrong. Most people I know are anxious to get past this weekend and are looking forward to elections. There are thousands of candidates for legislative seats. Opposition groups are organizing themselves. During my trip in Kasai, most of the folks I met were UDPS supporters; the group is very popular there, especially among Baluba. Even though UDPS has boycotted the electoral process thus far, most of their supporters I know told me they plan to go to the polls. The party is lobbying to participate as election observers (which seems like a reasonable request that should be granted), and there are rumors that Tshisikedi might endorse a candidate or join an opposition alliance. UDPS does not have a militia, though several other opponents, including Jean-Pierre Bemba who appears to be the leading challenger to Kabila, do. Bemba’s MLC militia is primarily former Mobutu generals from Equateur (Mobutu and Bemba’s home turf), and during the rebellion Bemba was linked to Uganda.

President Kabila has traveled to the eastern portion of the country for a few days where he is most popular; state television has been broadcasting his addresses to masses of supporters in places like Goma and Bukavu. He tends to spend these tense moments out east among supporters.

European Union troops arrived this week. They, MONUC (Mission of the UN to the Congo), and the Congolese military are out in force for the weekend, which also marks the official start of the political campaign. They are on alert and make traveling around the city even more difficult than usual. Most of the EU troops are stationed in Congo-Brazzaville, Central African Republic, and other neighboring countries, so it seems like June 30 will be an occasion to flex some symbolic muscle before the elections at the end of next month.