“On November 28, 2011 the Democratic Republic of Congo is holding its second
election since the end of a decade-long civil war in 2003. At stake is the credibility of the country’s fledgling democracy. The electoral process is a significant test of how robust the country’s new institutions are, and how much independence they have managed to establish for themselves over the last five years. The participation of significant opposition figures such as Etienne Tshisekedi and Vital Kamerhe means that the electorate has the choice between three viable presidential candidates. This places significant pressure on the ruling party, and incumbent candidate Joseph Kabila, whose track record for the first five year mandate is relatively poor.”
