Congolese in east sceptical vote will end fighting
Source: Reuters
By Tim Cocks BUNIA, Congo, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Gabriel Olimange is not used to seeing presidential candidates instead of militiamen battling over his home town in eastern Congo. "Finally we get to chose a president," the 38-year-old driver said as he strode out of a polling station in Bunia, capital of Ituri district, where rebel groups and invading foreign armies fought for control during Congo's 1998-2003 war. "I would never have believed we would be voting three years ago. You never know for sure the war is over, but this is a good sign," he said, gesturing towards a large white ballot box in the doorway behind him. The northeastern Ituri region was a particularly bloody corner of Democratic Republic of Congo's war, which at one time involved six countries and killed more than 4 million people, mostly through hunger and disease. A presidential run-off and provincial elections on Sunday are meant to end a long and costly peace process, but many eastern Congolese are sceptical. Thousands have been killed and tens of thousands uprooted by clashes between rival militias in the volatile region as fighting continued despite peace in many other parts of Congo. "We'll wait to see what happens after this before saying things are going to change," said Yasir Moroga, 35. "If the elections stop the fighting and the government starts working on schools and jobs it could change things, but we've heard that before," the unemployed woman said, as a convoy of U.N. soldiers drove past in trucks mounted with heavy guns. In Bunia, small groups of people could be seen queuing in silence outside polling stations guarded by U.N. troops. Few seemed enthusiastic. Many rushed to vote before getting on with more pressing matters, like going to church or finding something to eat despite the town's dire poverty. "Voting is all fine but I've been awake for hours and I still have no food in my stomach," said Bluba Tatamapasa, 19. "We want whoever wins to find us a means of living." Aminadaba Butsoro, 50, fears violence could continue. "They still have guns. Our children are still killing each other," he said. "I'm not confident that voting for a new government can change that."
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