The first multiparty elections in 46 years were held in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Sunday, July 31. At more than fifty thousand voting locations, approximately twenty-five million voters cast ballots after waiting in long but relatively peaceful lines. Overall, the elections took place with few incidents of violence, thanks in large part to the international community’s investment in the elections, through both substantial financial contributions as well as the presence of 17,000 UN peacekeeping forces.

The Catholic Church spoke with one voice making seven suggestions in a message of hope to the Congolese people. The Cardinal, Archbishops and Bishops, Standing Committee members of the national Episcopal Conference of Congo, (CENCO in French) issued their message following a four-day meeting of the group. 

Read their suggestions below.

DRC: Elections to be held on 30 July, polls body says (IRIN)

Independent Electoral Commission Chairman Apollinaire Muholongo Malumalu announced on Sunday that Presidential and parliamentary elections will be held on July 30th.  The first elections to be held in the nearly 40 years since independence in the Democratic Republic of Congo will include 33 candidates.  Prominent opposition leader, Etienne Tshisekedi will not be among them.