By M. Suleman

19^th Dec 2011: In 2006, the leading Congolese opposition leader Tshisekedi expressed dissatisfaction with the political, administrative, legal, and security conditions which did not favour a free and fair elections. Since the overthrow of President Mobutu by foreign supported militias, the country has remained on a war footing as the militias tried to assert their legitimacy on the country.

Most interestingly, the leading contenders for the presidency in that election [Joseph Kabila and Bemba] were no more than warlords.  Neither Kabila, nor Bemba had a registered political party, not to mention one that is functional all over the country.  None of them had any experience or track record in civil or political service.

Even their service in the military cannot be categorized as a career because they were basically guerrilla/militia soldiers.  Therefore, it was not only a joke, but an insult to expect someone like Tshisekedi to compete in an election with warlords who knew nothing but jungle conditions of life.

So rightly, the opposition led by Tshisekedi opted not to participate.  They left it to the warlords and other opportunistic fly-by night opposition parties, some of which had been formed by the warlords to give credibility to the elections.  That was the 2006 façade; a complete betrayal of the interests of the people of the DRC that was legitimized by the international community led by South Africa.

Indeed, the warlords fought immediately after the election and the stronger one became President.  From streetwise warlord to President – one would have been insane to have expected Kabila to perform any better than what he has to date.  One would also have to be a moron to expect Mr. Kabila to organize credible elections.

So Tsisekedi agreed to participate this time around not because he thought he could win an election organized by a warlord.  Rather, it was because he wanted to expose and shame the system and its foreign supporters, many of whom are involved in the ruthless plunder and exploitation of the DRC.

Even after the startling irregularities like the unbelievable 100% turn out in some areas, and the 100% final vote tally for Kabila in other areas, the response was the usual shameless chest thumping from Kabila and his backers in the international community.  As was the case in Uganda in both 2001 and 2006, the ruling of the DRC Supreme Court that gave power to Kabila was expected.

Everything that happened in DRC is a replica of the electoral conditions in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Rwanda.  The leaders of these countries came to power through the gun.  They have ruled viciously, organized, and “won” elections in the same way.  This is the litmus test for the democratic forces in the four countries. They have to unite and come up with an immediate plan to force these tyrants out of power.

Otherwise the Great Lakes Region is set for a very bleak future.  END:  Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.