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The leader of the South African Observer Mission to the DRC bids farewell to 94 election observers on their return to South Africa
4 August 2006
The leader of the South African Observer Mission (SAOM) to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Defence Deputy Minister Mluleki George, on Friday, 4 August 2006, bade farewell to 94 members of the SAOM on their return to South Africa following the 30 July Presidential and Parliamentary elections in the DRC.
“Our observers have carried out their international responsibility with distinction. We are encouraged by feedback from the Congolese on the professional and non-partisan manner in which they conducted themselves. We also wish to thank the Congolese for the hospitality shown to our observers during their stay,” said Deputy Minister Mluleki George.
The SAOM had been stationed in the DRC since 19 July 2006 and observed all phases of the elections, including election campaigns, the voting process and the counting of votes. They were deployed in all the 11 provinces in the DRC.
Deputy Minister Mluleki George, a few members of the SAOM and the Secretariat will remain in the DRC until 16 August 2006 to further observe the counting of votes.
Enquiries:
Vincent Hlongwane
Cell: 082 385 1169
Sam Mkhwanazi
Cell: 083 628 0858
E-mail: Lindo Nkomonde
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
4 August 2006