On October 29, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) held the second round of presidential and general assembly elections, marking the first time the Congolese have been able to vote in 40 years. The election results have recently been released. On Nov. 27, 2006, Joseph Kabila was confirmed by the Supreme Court of the DRC as the first Congolese president to be democratically elected.

The DRC is a land of unparalleled natural resources and potential. Yet this same country has suffered some of the worst wars and human rights abuses in the world. Since 1998, more than 4 million people have died, nearly 2 million are internally displaced, and half a million are refugees in neighboring countries. A civil war of grave magnitude has ravished the land and torn its people apart. Almost half of those who died as a result of the war were children.

But there is hope for the DRC. Violence has subsided in the last few years and thousands of rebel soldiers have enrolled in the disarmament process. The people are still suffering, but for the first time in more than four decades, they had the opportunity to choose their president. This is a landmark time for the Congolese people, who now have the opportunity to establish a government that works for the development of their nation.

For many Congolese, the recent election was their very first opportunity to vote. They said they felt empowered to finally influence the selection of their country’s leader. "The will of the people is being valued,” said a Food for the Hungry staff member. The election process has filled them with hope that things will improve in their country. Many of the staff members prayed fervently for this event, and they are delighted to see it come to fruition as peacefully as it did.

The staff of Food for the Hungry-DRC and their fellow Congolese are optimistic that the elections will bring about positive changes. They look forward to a new beginning and to moving forward from the conditions that made the civil war in the DRC the biggest humanitarian crisis since WW II. There remains, however, a concern that supporters of Jean-Pierre Bemba, who lost in the election, will not accept the results and will mobilize the armed groups loyal to him to restart violence. Please pray against this. Food for the Hungry has been walking alongside leaders, churches and families in the DRC since 1997, helping them diversify and increase the productivity of their income- generating activities; providing food and essential household items for displaced families returning home; rebuilding roads, railway lines and other important infrastructure; and implementing numerous other activities. Food for the Hungry helps communities improve their food security by establishing and rehabilitating fishing ponds and teaching people effective agricultural techniques. Food for the Hungry also teaches mothers of malnourished children how to properly care for their children’s physical well-being.

The outcome of the elections could have a significant impact on the ability of Food for the Hungry staff to do its work in the DRC. If the outcome of the elections is received positively, Food for the Hungry believes that significant improvement in security and infrastructure will take place, allowing the workers and volunteers of Food for the Hungry to reach more villages and vulnerable populations. However, if the result of the elections is not received favorably, violence may erupt. In this case, the government’s ability to maintain peace and order will be critical to the success of work of Food for the Hungry.

But overall, the will of the people is being valued in these elections – and that is a victory. The staff of Food for the Hungry are hopeful that the government will take responsibility to ensure that its people are secure, gainfully employed, and that violence against women is put to a stop.

This is a chance for peace in the DRC. The Congolese are tired of war and poverty, and they desire responsible and responsive leaders. Slowly, the road is opening towards democracy, and the Congolese people are looking forward to a new beginning.