https://en.sputniknews.africa/20231226/tragedy-in-kinshasa-belgian-election-observer-commits-suicide-in-drc-reports-say-1064317644.html
Tragedy in Kinshasa: Belgian Election Observer Commits Suicide in DRC, Reports Say
Tragedy in Kinshasa: Belgian Election Observer Commits Suicide in DRC, Reports Say
Sputnik Africa
At the end of November, the European Union's election observation mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo was canceled due to "technical constraints," as... 26.12.2023, Sputnik Africa
2023-12-26T15:13+0100
2023-12-26T15:13+0100
2023-12-26T15:13+0100
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Laurent Delvaux, a Belgian IT expert working with the European election observation mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), took his life on Saturday night by throwing himself from the 12th floor of a hotel in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, the media reported.The death was reportedly ruled as a suicide, as the Kinshasa authorities began investigating the incident. No signs of violence were found on the premises, reports revealed.The EU, which has reportedly been informed of the tragic incident, expressed its condolences to Delvaux's family and friends, but made no further comment. The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed the expert's death in Kinshasa, the Cameroonian media said.Delvaux was part of a small team of observers sent by the European election observation mission in the DRC to assess the electoral process. The mission, which was originally intended to be larger, was scaled down when Congolese officials refused to allow the use of EU satellite technology.Due to some logistical issues, the DRC's general elections, that kicked off on December 20, were delayed by a day or more in some rural sections of the nation. The electoral commission hopes to have tabulated data from all 22 districts by 31 December.
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Tragedy in Kinshasa: Belgian Election Observer Commits Suicide in DRC, Reports Say
Christina Glazkova
Writer / Editor
At the end of November, the European Union's election observation mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo was canceled due to "technical constraints," as the EU's official stated. To replace it, the Mission of Election Experts was sent to the Congo to "analyze the electoral process," the EU said.
Laurent Delvaux, a Belgian IT expert working with the European election observation mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), took his life on Saturday night by throwing himself from the 12th floor of a hotel in Kinshasa, the capital of the
DRC, the media reported.
The death was reportedly ruled as a suicide, as the Kinshasa authorities began investigating the incident. No signs of violence were found on the premises, reports revealed.
The
EU, which has reportedly been informed of the tragic incident, expressed its condolences to Delvaux's family and friends, but made no further comment. The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also confirmed the expert's death in Kinshasa, the Cameroonian media said.
Delvaux was part of a small team of observers sent by the European election
observation mission in the DRC to assess the electoral process. The mission, which was originally intended to be larger, was scaled down when Congolese officials refused to allow the use of EU satellite technology.
Due to some logistical issues, the DRC's general elections, that
kicked off on December 20, were delayed by a day or more in some rural sections of the nation. The electoral commission hopes to have tabulated data from all 22 districts by 31 December.
