Electoral committee announced for Pool region

The creation of a committee to prepare for local and national elections in the war-weary Pool region of southern Republic of Congo was announced on Friday by the government of the Republic of Congo, with actual elections to be held "soon". The move comes a year after similar elections were held nationwide. The improved situation in Pool follows a peace agreement signed on 17 March between the government and "Ninja" rebels of Rev Frederic Bitsangou, alias Pasteur Ntoumi, which ended a year of hostilities. Tens of thousands of people fled the region, while fighting trapped many more. Efforts are underway on the part of the government, UN agencies and NGOs to facilitate the return of Pool displaced to their homes. The government said that although members had not yet been named to the commission, it would most likely comprise representatives from the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation (Le Ministere de l'Administration du Territoire et de la Decentralisation), headed by Francois Ibovi. It reported that the Pool elections would enable the Congolese Parliament to fill a void of some dozen seats for the region that have been vacant in the National Assembly and in the Senate. The government also suggested that Ntoumi could be a candidate in the elections.