Kabila wins Congo's runoff election; New constitution provides for federalism

"Incumbent Joseph Kabila was on Wednesday declared the winner of Congo's first presidential elections in more than 40 years.
. . . The sort of violence that killed at least 23 people after the first round of voting on July 30, and that people endured during a decade of civil war, did not materialize.
. . . Many here say they hope a new constitution, adopted last year, will provide some framework for reforms. The document provides for the creation of provincial legislatures, for example, that in theory will decentralize state power, allowing provinces to retain 40 percent of revenue for local projects."

source
The Washington Post. Incumbent Declared Winner in Congo Vote. November 16, 2006.

posted: tuesday, november 21, 2006, 3:52 AM ET