Republic of the Congo parliamentary election, 2007

A parliamentary election was held in the Republic of the Congo on 24 June 2007, with a second round initially planned for 22 July 2007, but then postponed to 5 August 2007. According to the National Commission of the Organization of the Elections (CONEL), 1,807 candidates stood in the first round for 137 seats in the National Assembly. [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?reg_id=0&art_cle=37253 "Congo: ouverture de la campagne du premier tour des élections législatives"] , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), June 8, 2007 fr.] The ruling Congolese Labour Party and parties and independent candidates allied with it won 125 seats, while two opposition parties won a combined 12 seats. [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/pays/congo_brazza/article_depeche.asp?art_cle=XIN70027lalliseriat0 "L'alliance présidentielle occupe 125 des 137 sièges parlementaires"] , Xinhua (Jeuneafrique.com), August 25, 2007 fr.]

Course of the election

On 23 April 2007, prior to the election, 42 members of the presidential majority, supporting President Denis Sassou Nguesso, signed an electoral agreement in Brazzaville providing for a common electoral strategy. Parties signing this agreement included Sassou Nguesso's party, the Congolese Labor Party (PCT), as well as Club 2002-Party for the Unity of the Republic, led by Wilfrid Nguesso, the Dynamic for Democracy and Social Progress (DDPS), led by Marcel Mbani, the Union for Democracy and Development (UDD), led by Pierre Damien Boussoukou Boumba, the Republican Pole of Renovators (PRR), and the Party for the Safeguarding of Republican Values (PSVR), led by Michel Mampouya. [Roger Ngombé, [http://www.brazzaville-adiac.com/index.php?action=depeche&dep_id=15809&oldaction=liste&regpay_id=0&them_id=0&cat_id=0&ss_cat_id=0&LISTE_FROM=20&select_month=0&select_year=0 "42 formations politiques de la majorité présidentielle signent un accord électoral"] , "Les Dépêches de Brazzaville", April 24, 2007 fr icon.]

The PCT and the Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development (MCDDI) of Bernard Kolélas signed an agreement on 24 April to form an alliance for the parliamentary election as well as subsequent local, senatorial, and presidential elections. A joint technical committee was to oversee the implementation of the agreement. [ [http://english.people.com.cn/200704/26/eng20070426_369826.html "Republic of Congo's parties in political alliance"] , Xinhua ("People's Daily Online"), April 26, 2007.] Willy Mbossa & Roger Ngombé, [http://www.brazzaville-adiac.com/index.php?action=depeche&dep_id=15819&oldaction=liste&regpay_id=0&them_id=0&cat_id=0&ss_cat_id=0&LISTE_FROM=0&select_month=04&select_year=2007 "Le MCDDI et le PCT de nouveau alliés pour gouverner ensemble"] , "Les Dépêches de Brazzaville", April 24, 2007 fr icon.]

About 40 opposition parties chose to boycott the election, [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6931928.stm "Republic of Congo holds election"] , BBC News, August 5, 2007.] seeking a new and more independent electoral commission and a later date for the election. [http://apanews.net/spip.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=35977 "Two million Congolese vote Sunday to elect 137 MPs"] , African Press Agency, June 24, 2007.] Parties that said they would participate in the election included the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy (UPADS) of former president Pascal Lissouba and the Union for Democracy and the Republic (UDR). [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?reg_id=0&art_cle=37102 "L'ex-rebelle Ntumi refuse de participer aux législatives au Congo"] , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), June 2, 2007 fr icon.] The Rally for Democracy and Development also initially intended to participate, but later, in a statement on June 8, said that it would not. Emmanuel Ngouolondélé Mongo of the Reflection for a New National Order and Ambroise Hervé Malonga of the Convention of Republicans called for a boycott on May 12, describing the election as a farce. [ [http://apanews.net/spip.php?page=show_article&id_article=33202 "Congolese opposition calls for boycott of legislative poll"] , African Press Agency, May 13, 2007.]

Despite signing an agreement with the government in late April 2007, the National Council of Republicans (CNR), the party of former rebel leader Pasteur Ntumi, later announced it would not participate in the election due to what it described as a lack of transparency. On June 7, Ntumi said that his party would participate, but on June 19 the CNR demanded that the government delay the election within two days or the party would boycott. It alleged that the organization of the election was not transparent and said that electoral rolls had not yet been posted and that voter cards had not yet been distributed. [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?reg_id=0&art_cle=37474 "Législatives au Congo: l'ex-rebelle Ntumi menace à nouveau de se retirer"] , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), June 19, 2007 fr icon.] Ultimately the CNR participated in the election, putting forward six candidates, including Ntumi. The end of hostilities with Ntumi's "Ninja" rebels enabled the 2007 election to be held fully in the Pool Region; in the previous parliamentary election in 2002, voting did not take place in the eight of the 14 constituencies in the Pool Region due to the activities of Ntumi's rebel group. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2013289.stm "Congo would-be MPs barred"] , BBC News, May 28, 2002.]

Prior to the vote, the boycotting opposition appealed to the Constitutional Court regarding alleged electoral flaws, seeking to have the election cancelled, but on June 22 the Constitutional Court rejected this and ruled that only candidates could dispute the election. [Franz Wild, [http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-06-22-voa63.cfm "Congo Court Throws Out Appeal to Cancel Elections"] , VOA News, June 22, 2007.] [ [http://apanews.net/spip.php?page=show_article&id_article=35908 "L’opposition congolaise déboutée de ses recours en annulation pour les législatives"] , African Press Agency, June 22, 2007 fr icon.]

Campaigning for the election began on June 8 and continued until June 22. [ [http://apanews.net/spip.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=35949 "Legislative elections with nothing special at stake in Congo"] , African Press Agency, June 23, 2007.] Although many voters did not receive their voter cards, Armand Baboutila, the Director-General of Electoral Affairs, assured them on June 20 that their voter cards would be available at the polling stations on election day.

In the first round of the election, held on 24 June, serious problems were reported, including the absence of electoral rolls and voter cards, or errors in them, in some places.John James, [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6234156.stm "Counting begins in Congo election"] , BBC News, June 25, 2007.] [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?reg_id=0&art_cle=37581 "Congo: premier tour des législatives chaotique"] , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), June 25, 2007 fr icon.] Widespread delays were reported in the opening of polling stations, and turnout was said to be low. The electoral commission said that results would not be available for a week or more. The opposition denounced the election, with Ambroise Hervé Malonga, acting as spokesman for the boycotting opposition parties, calling it "chaos, not an election". The President of CONEL, Henri Bouka, acknowledged problems, but said that they were limited to Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, the country's two main cities. [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?reg_id=0&art_cle=37600 "Législatives chaotiques au Congo: l'opposition confortée dans ses craintes"] , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), June 25, 2007 fr icon.]

In a joint statement of the observer missions of the African Union and the Economic Community of Central African States on June 26, they said that, among other shortcomings, polling stations were opened late, electoral materials were often unavailable, voters were often not included on the voter rolls, and many voters did not receive voter registration cards. They also judged voter turnout to be very low. On the other hand, they said that voting was peaceful and without intimidation. [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/pays/congo_brazza/article_depeche.asp?art_cle=XIN70027lgislstneme0 "Législatives : les observateurs de l'UA et de la CEEAC relèvent des manquements"] , Xinhua (Jeuneafrique.com), June 26, 2007 fr icon.]

On June 28, the Minister for Territorial Administration, François Ibovi, suspended Baboutila, the Director-General of Electoral Affairs, for alleged negligence due to the problems in the election; [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?reg_id=0&art_cle=37687 "Congo: un opposant demande l'annulation du premier tour des législatives"] , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), June 29, 2007 fr icon.] [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=136&art_id=nw20070628154832466C296557 "Top election chief sacked after poll chaos"] , AFP ("IOL"), June 28, 2007.] Gaston Ololo was appointed in his place for the second round. Opposition spokesman Malonga demanded on June 29 that the election be annulled and that the government, and particularly Ibovi, resign. [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?reg_id=0&art_cle=37687 "Congo: un opposant demande l'annulation du premier tour des législatives"] , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), June 29, 2007 fr icon.] Malonga said that the suspension of Baboutila was insufficient and that Ibovi and the President of CONEL, Henri Bouka, should have resigned. Roger Bouka of the Congolese Observatory of Human Rights was also sharply critical of irregularities and the failure of voting to take place in some areas, calling for the election to be annulled.

On June 30, results from the Ministry of Territorial Administration showed the ruling PCT winning 23 seats out of the 44 seats declared in the first round [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?art_cle=37703 "Législatives au Congo: le parti présidentiel largement en tête au 1er tour"] , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), June 30, 2007 fr icon.] [http://www.brazzaville-adiac.com/index.php?action=depeche&dep_id=17007 "Quarante quatre candidats déclarés élus au premier tour"] , "Les Dépêches de Brazzaville", June 30, 2007 fr icon.] (21 in the north and two in the south [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/pays/congo_brazza/article_depeche.asp?art_cle=XIN70027lgislleitra0 "Législatives: le Parti congolais du travail et ses alliés raflent 35 sièges à l'issue du premier tour partiel"] , Xinhua (Jeuneafrique.com), June 30, 2007 fr.] ). Another 12 seats went to its allies: four for the MCDDI, three for the Movement for Action and Revival, two for the Patriotic Union for Democracy and Progress, one for the Movement for Solidarity, one for the Club 2002 PUR, and one for To Act for Congo. Seven seats were won by independent candidates, who are considered to be allies of the ruling party, and two were won by the opposition UPADS. Joseph Kignoumbi Kiamboungou, the President of the UPADS Parliamentary Group in the outgoing National Assembly, denounced the election as "faked" and said that the voter lists were "totally false".

On July 1, results for two additional seats were declared: one for UPADS and one for an independent candidate. [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/pays/congo_brazza/article_depeche.asp?art_cle=PAN70027lepouniujud0 "Le pouvoir congolais invité à annuler les législatives du 24 juin"] , Panapress (Jeuneafrique.com), July 3, 2007 fr icon.]

On July 8, the election was held again in five districts due to the problems that plagued the first attempt. These districts were located in Niari Region, Plateaux Region, Cuvette Region, and Cuvette-Ouest Region. [ [http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=136&art_id=nw20070708215435576C171555 "Congo voters head to the polls once more"] , AFP ("IOL"), July 9, 2007.] In 14 other districts, seven of them in Brazzaville and six in Pointe-Noire, the election was held again on July 15. CONEL president Henri Bouka described this vote as proceeding calmly and without incident. [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?art_cle=38043 "Congo: législatives partielles "sans incidents" dans 14 circonscriptions"] , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), July 15, 2007 fr icon.]

UPADS Secretary-General Pascal Tsaty-Mabiala said on July 4 that the party would only participate in the second round of the election on July 22 if the electoral rolls were improved, voter registration cards were properly distributed, and the composition of the electoral commissions was changed. He also said that the second round should be delayed to allow time for these things to be done. [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/pays/congo_brazza/article_depeche.asp?art_cle=PAN70027lupadsevita0 "L'UPADS conditionne sa participation au 2ème tour des législatives"] , Panapress (Jeuneafrique.com), July 5, 2007 fr icon.]

On July 12, President Sassou Nguesso stated that the second round would be postponed to a more appropriate date due to the necessary repetition of the first round in many districts. [ [http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6216871.html "Republic of Congo holds legislative by-elections"] , Xinhua ("People's Daily Online"), July 16, 2007.] Ibovi announced on July 19 that the second round would be held on August 5, with campaigning from July 20 to August 3. He also announced the results of the first round revotes, in which the PCT and its allies won seven seats; the opposition won none. [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?art_cle=38130 "Le second tour des législatives au Congo reporté au 5 août"] , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), July 19, 2007 fr.]

On August 1, CONEL president Henri Bouka announced the publication of new voter registration cards in an attempt to ensure that the second round will not be as marred by problems as the first round. [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/pays/congo_brazza/article_depeche.asp?art_cle=PAN70027denouognocu0 "De nouvelles cartes d'électeur au 2ème tour des législatives au Congo"] , Panapress (Jeuneafrique.com), August 1, 2007 fr.] He later said that the distribution of the cards would continue until August 4, and that those cards not distributed would be available in polling stations. Tsaty-Mabiala doubted that the election would be transparent and said that the UPADS did not understand why the new cards were being introduced. Malonga was also critical, saying that "the second round will be no different from the first". Observers expressed concern over the failure of electoral lists to be posted in some districts. [ [http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/theworld/2007/August/theworld_August69.xml&section=theworld&col= "Congo braces for polls after disastrous first round"] , AFP (Khaleej Times Online), August 4, 2007.]

The second round took place in 84 districts, with a total of 168 candidates. Reports indicated a low turnout and delays in the opening of polling stations. Bouka gave a positive appraisal of the vote, although there were reports of voters' names, some of whom had been able to vote in the first round, not being included on electoral lists. [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?reg_id=0&art_cle=38499 "Législatives au Congo: nouveaux retards et dysfonctionnements au second tour"] , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), August 5, 2007 fr.] [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?art_cle=38515 "Congo: cafouillages en série et désintérêt lors des élections législatives"] , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), August 6, 2007 fr icon.] Joseph Kignoumbi Kiamboungou of UPADS denounced the second round as fraudulent and accused the government of seeking to restore single-party rule. Malonga said that the second round was poorly organized.

A report by African Union observers said that there were major problems in the second round; among other things, it cited voter list errors, with some names absent and others listed more than once, and "incomplete distribution of the new voter registration cards". The report recommended a number of improvements in the organization of elections. [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?reg_id=0&art_cle=38588 "Législative au Congo: "dysfonctionnements" au 1er comme au second tour"] , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), August 9, 2007 fr icon.]

According to results announced by Ibovi on August 9, the PCT won a total of 44 seats, while its allies won a total of 80 seats, including the MCDDI with 12 seats. Opposition parties won a total of 11 seats, 10 for UPADS and one for the UDR. Two seats, for Bouaniela and Liranga districts, were not yet decided, because voting could not be held there on the date of the election. [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?reg_id=0&art_cle=38595 "Législatives au Congo: majorité absolue pour le parti au pouvoir et ses alliés"] , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), August 10, 2007 fr icon.] Tsaty-Mabiala denounced the results as fraudulent on August 11 and said that the election was neither transparent nor fair. He alleged that five UPADS candidates, in Mossendjo, Moutamba, Nkayi, Mabombo and Dolisie electoral districts, had won but were deprived of victory in the results. The party appealed to the Constitutional Court. [ [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/pays/congo_brazza/article_depeche.asp?art_cle=PAN70027lupadognocu0 "L’UPADS accuse le pouvoir d’avoir fait un hold-up électoral au Congo"] , Panapress (Jeuneafrique.com), August 12, 2007 fr icon.] On August 13, Ibovi announced a correction in the results for one of the electoral districts UPADS claimed to have won, Mabombo (in Bouenza Region), which had gone to Marcel Kalla in the previous results, but which Ibovi said was actually won by the UPADS candidate, Christophe Moukouéké, with 59.01% of the vote; [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/pays/congo_brazza/article_depeche.asp?art_cle=PAN70027uncanognocu0 "Un candidat de l'opposition repêché après rectificatif au Congo"] , Panapress (Jeuneafrique.com), August 13, 2007 fr.] Thierry Noungou, [http://www.brazzaville-adiac.com/index.php?action=depeche&dep_id=17791&oldaction=liste&regpay_id=0&them_id=0&cat_id=0&ss_cat_id=0&LISTE_FROM=0&select_month=0&select_year=0 "Le gouvernement annonce la victoire de Christophe Moukouéké aux législatives de Mabombo."] , "Les Dépêches de Brazzaville", August 13, 2007 fr icon.] the previously announced result was attributed to a clerical error. This raised the number of UPADS seats to 11.

In the two districts where voting was not held on August 5, it took place on August 19–20. On August 24, Ibovi announced that these seats were won by Raymond Ebonga and Alexandre Koumou, both independents who are considered to be allied with the PCT, thus bringing the total number of seats won by the ruling party and its allies to 125.

The new National Assembly held its first session on September 4, chaired by MCDDI President Bernard Kolélas, the oldest member, who won a seat from Goma Tsé-Tsé. Justin Koumba of the PCT was elected as the President of the National Assembly [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/pays/congo_brazza/article_depeche.asp?art_cle=XIN70027lanounoitcn0 "La nouvelle Assemblée nationale entre en fonction"] , Xinhua (Jeuneafrique.com), September 5, 2007 fr icon.] [http://www.jeuneafrique.com/pays/congo_brazza/article_depeche.asp?art_cle=PAN70027electelanoi0 "Election du nouveau président de l'Assemblée nationale"] , Panapress (Jeuneafrique.com), September 5, 2007 fr icon.] without opposition, receiving 121 votes from the 129 participating deputies. François Ibovi, the Minister of Territorial Administration, was elected First Vice-President of the National Assembly, Bernard Tchibambelela of the MCDDI was elected Second Vice-President, Pierre Ngolo of the PCT was elected First Secretary-General, and Claudine Munari, an independent, was elected Second Secretary-General. All of the seven members of the National Assembly's bureau were from the ruling majority, and six of them were elected without opposition. In the only contested election, a UPADS candidate received 12 votes against 115 for the ruling majority's candidate in the vote for the position of First Quaestor.

On September 28, Tsaty-Mabiala criticized the failure of the Constitutional Court to issue decisions on appeals regarding the election despite the passage of the one-month period for examination of the appeals. He said that UPADS had submitted five appeals. [ [http://apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article&id_article=42943 "L’UPDAS déplore l’impuissance de la cour constitutionnelle sur les contentieux électoraux"] , African Press Agency, September 28, 2007 fr icon.]

The Constitutional Court held public hearings beginning on October 22, and on October 26 it annulled the election in four constituenciesRoger Ngombé, [http://www.brazzaville-adiac.com/index.php?action=depeche&dep_id=18980&oldaction=liste&regpay_id=0&them_id=0&cat_id=1&ss_cat_id=0&LISTE_FROM=0&select_month=10&select_year=2007 "Verdict de la Cour constitutionnelle : reprise du scrutin législatif dans quatre circonscriptions électorales"] , "Les Dépêches de Brazzaville", October 27, 2007 fr icon.] [http://www.congo-site.com/pub/fr/v4x/actualites/article.php?num=6949 "Elections législatives 2007 : le scrutin a été annulé dans quatre circonscriptions"] , congo-site.com, October 29, 2007 fr icon.] —Yamba (in Bouenza Department), where Raoul Mboungou Nzoumba, who was previously credited with victory, [http://www.brazzaville-adiac.com/index.php?action=depeche&dep_id=17753&oldaction=textes&regpay_id=0&cat_id=&ss_cat_id=&LISTE_FROM=0&select_month=08&select_year=2007 "La liste complète des députés"] , "Les Dépêches de Brazzaville", August 11, 2007 fr icon.] was to again face Clément Mouanda; Kayes (also in Bouenza Department), where Michel Bidimbou, the initial winner, was to again face Pierre Ngaka; Kibangou (in Niari Department), where Serge Victor Ignoumba, the initial winner, was to again face Pierre Damien Boussoukou Mboumba; and Mbomo (in Cuvette Ouest Department), where Jean Réné Matamaya, the initial winner, was to again face Léon Alfred Opimbat. There were a total of 22 candidates contesting the partial election: 16 of them in Kibangou, where the first round was held over again, and two in each of the other three constituencies, where the second round was being held over again. [ [http://www.brazzaville-adiac.com/index.php?action=depeche&dep_id=19556&oldaction=liste&regpay_id=0&them_id=0&cat_id=1&ss_cat_id=18&LISTE_FROM=0&select_month=12&select_year=2007 "Législatives partielles. L'administration du territoire interdit l'ouverture le 7 décembre des débits de boisson et la circulation automobile dans les circonscriptions concernées"] , "Les Dépêches de Brazzaville", December 5, 2007 fr icon.] The Court rejected appeals for 15 other constituencies; these rejected appeals were from Jacques Mouanda Mpassi in Nkayi, Emmanuel Bongouanza in Mossendjo, Jean-Claude Adédé in Souanké, René Dambert Ndouane in Sembé, Sylvain Ngambolo in Makotimpoko, Antoine de Saint Nicephore Eudes Fylla in Poto-Poto I, Mouyecket (Ngala Nicole Sylvie) in Tié-Tié II, Alain Akoualat Atipault in Gamboma II, Julien Makoundi Tchibinda in Hinda I, Jean Moukoumbi in Moutamba, Pierre Malonga in Mbinda, Thomas Djolani in Boko, Solange Pauline Dendé Moudoki in Bétou, Jean Baptiste Nombo in Loandjili I, and Pierre Mabiala in Makabana.

The government announced on 15 November that the election would be repeated in these four constituencies on 7 December 2007. [ [http://www.afriquenligne.fr/actualites/politique/legislatives-partielles-en-decembre-au-congo-2007111511495/ "Législatives partielles en décembre au Congo"] , Panapress (afriquenligne.fr), November 15, 2007 fr icon.] On 15 November, Antoine Evoundou was appointed as Director General of Electoral Affairs, replacing the suspended Baboutila. [http://www.afriquenligne.fr/actualites/politique/campagne-pour-les-legislatives-partielles-au-congo-2007112211907/ "Campagne pour les législatives partielles au Congo"] , Panapress (afriquenligne.fr), November 22, 2007 fr icon.] Campaigning began on 22 November [http://apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=47562 "Twenty-two candidates to contest by-elections in Congo"] , African Press Agency, November 23, 2007.] and continued until December 5.

In Yamba and Kayes, the candidates of the PCT and the Union for the Republic (a party allied with the PCT) who were initially elected were confirmed, respectively, but in Mbomo, the initial winner from the MSD was beaten by the FDN candidate. A run-off was held in Kibangou on December 26 between the UDD candidate Pierre Damien Boussoukou and Serge Victor Ignoumba, an independent supporting the opposition. [ [http://www.angolapress-angop.ao/noticia-f.asp?ID=580818 "CONGO-Législatives partielles: Trois proches du pouvoir élus"] , AngolaPress, December 10, 2007 fr icon.] [ [http://www.apanews.net/apa.php?page=elect_article&id_article=48923 "Publication des résultats des législatives partielles de vendredi au Congo"] , African Press Agency, December 9, 2007 fr icon.] This final run-off was won by Ignoumba, who received 57.24% of the vote. [ [http://apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article&id_article=50594 "Le 137ème député de l’Assemblée nationale congolaise pourvu"] , African Press Agency, December 29, 2007 fr icon.]

Results

References