The Political Elections

Seggio elettorale a Bozoum
Bureau de vote à Bozoum

The Political Elections

Sunday, February 14, there was the second round of presidential elections in the Central African Republic. Nearly 2 million people were called upon to choose among the two candidates, Dologuele and Touadera. It is the third act of a long story, which saw the Central African Republic called to the polls, first for the referendum on the Constitution, then the choice of the President and Members of the Parliament. The first round was held on December 30, and the results were declared after many days. There were some problems in the organization, errors and frauds which caused the annulment of elections of all the deputies. Their election have been postponed to February 14 (1st round) and March (2^nd round). These elections were much awaited, and some Countries and International Organizations (France, European Union, African Union, United Nations) had insisted a lot that they could take placed as early as possible. Unfortunately, the insisting is not enough in order ot have something so important well organized. For this reason the results are not very encouraging. What is encouraging instead is the attitude of the people, who went to vote with dignity and seriousness, choosing with great care and avoiding candidates too involved in the past with violence and who have caused various problems. This week came to visit us our young theology students. They took the opportunity of a School brake leaving Bangui and spend a few days in peace. Their convent over there is still "surrounded" by about 5,000 refugees. On Friday morning I left at 6.00am, to go to Cameroon, where I am now. Are almost 1,000 km of road, with some surprises (including punctured wheels, improvised police barriers in the most unexpected places-often at turns, or a border to cross), and on top of everything the entering in such a Country, so very different from Central African Republic , which has developed differently, and that is growing. As soon as I arrived in Yaounde, the capital, I went to buy some seeds, for our cooperatives: onions, carrots, eggplant, basil ...    This too is development!