Situation Report: Future Scenarios for the Democratic Republic of Congo, Henri Boshoff and Stephanie Wolters

The Global and All-Inclusive Agreement on the Transition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, signed by the Congolese parties on 17 December 2002, outlined a transitional process culminating in national elections to be held two years after the inauguration of the Transitional Government in June 2003. The Agreement also stipulated that the transition could be  extended for two six month periods if technical preparations for elections were delayed. The Transition Government has encountered significant difficulties in the past two years. Nonetheless, the basic objectives of the peace agreement – such as the drafting of a constitution, the elaboration of key laws and the embryonic reintegration of the Congolese armed forces – have been realised, and the Congolese people are now increasingly focused on the elections.