Congo Votes for 1st Time in Decades

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s war-weary citizens voted in the first national ballot in more than three decades Sunday, deciding on a draft constitution meant to put the country on the path to democracy and lasting peace.

About 24 million people in the central African nation were registered to vote on the charter, which would grant greater autonomy to mineral-laden regions but was viewed by many as another attempt by corrupt politicians to enrich themselves.

Lining up before dawn, eager voters banged on the door of one polling center in the capital, Kinshasa, imploring election workers to let them in early.

“We are the small people. We don’t eat for days sometimes. I have never voted before, and now we are passing from one era to another,” said Charles Begi, a 34-year-old teacher. “Now the small people of the country are choosing its future.”

Final results were expected to be announced within two weeks.

Congolese have not voted en masse since 1970, when then-dictator Mobutu Sese Seko stood as the sole presidential candidate in what was then known as Zaire. His reign ended in 1997 and the country fell into war until 2002; an estimated 4 million people died in the violence and of malnutrition and disease exacerbated by the conflict.

Though viewing the proposed constitution as flawed in some ways, many Western analysts consider it a crucial step to laying the framework for a democratic government. Parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled in March.

Some Congolese long accustomed to corrupt and violent rule were suspicious of the proposed constitution.

“Even if I vote ‘no,’ they will change it to ‘yes,’ so what is the use of voting?” said Aime Asoba, 42, followed by two toddlers. “I am going to church. At least there is no treachery there.”