STORY: Eastern DR Congo expects change in upcoming presidential elections
SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 18, 2023
DATELINE: Dec. 19, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:39
LOCATION: GOMA, DR Congo
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of local people
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Swahili): JEAN KAONGO, Teacher
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Swahili): KATUNGU KASILENGE, Displaced person
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Swahili): HAMULI NSOMBO, Former trader and displaced person

STORYLINE:

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), nearly 44 million Congolese voters will cast their votes for a new president as well as national and provincial legislatures. 

In eastern part of the country, long plagued by conflicts, expectations have been running high, as local Congolese are hoping for changes, especially the return of the peace, in the upcoming elections.
   
After the elections, teachers expect strong actions to be taken, including salary raise and welfare policies. 

Jean Kaongo, who has been teaching for over 20 years, works in a public school in Goma, capital of the North Kivu province, said that the newly elected could bring changes to his life because he can barely support his family. 
SOUNDBITE 1 (Swahili): JEAN KAONGO, Teacher"We hope that the newly elected can take good care of teachers. Our lives will be better, and I will be able to take care of my family, in terms of clothing and food. I could also buy land where I can build a house and put a roof over our heads, or even have the money so that my family can live comfortably." 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Swahili): KATUNGU KASILENGE, Displaced person
"We would like the new president to fight to put an end to this war which is gnawing away in this country. There must be peace and quietness. We are living in a bad condition. We used to grow farm produces on our land. This makes us sad." 
Since the resumption of conflicts between military and rebel groups, socio-economic activities have been partly paralyzed.  
SOUNDBITE 3 (Swahili): HAMULI NSOMBO, Former trader and displaced person"Where there is no war, there must be peace. Everything would be easy to find, like food. Until now, the agricultural products that we brought from the surrounding areas can no longer reach this city from Goma, because the roads are closed down, but if there is peace, food products can move around easily."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Goma, DR Congo.
(XHTV)