Start of Preparations for Dispatching an Electoral Observer Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo

June 15, 2006

Following a request of the United Nations, the Government of Japan has been considering the dispatch of an electoral observer mission for the presidential and national assembly elections to be held in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). On the policy of extending all possible cooperation for the new nation-building of the DRC, Japan has decided to start making necessary preparations *, on the basis of the International Peace Cooperation Law, to dispatch an electoral observer mission for the elections, which are to be held on July 30 (Sun).
* These include selecting observers and preparing for the dispatch. The formation and size of the mission will be decided soon; the dispatch of approximately eight persons are under consideration.
The stability in the DRC, where a conflict that resulted in more than 3.3 million deaths has just ended, will have a large influence not only on the stability of the central region of Africa but also on the peace and security of the entire African continent and the international community. From such a viewpoint, Japan has been providing various kinds of assistance for the DRC, including election support.
The upcoming elections are particularly important, as they are the first democratic elections to be held since the DRC became independent, to put an end to the cycle of conflict on the basis of the comprehensive peace agreement and to achieve domestic peace and national reconciliation. The planned dispatch will form a major pillar of Japan's cooperation in promoting the peace process in the DRC.

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