Assembly/AU/6(XV) Page 16 72. The Assembly may wish to encourage the Government of Liberia to persevere in its efforts to consolidate and sustain the remarkable progress that has been made over the past years, including the implementation of the recommendations of the final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which was issued in December 2009, in a way that would balance the need to combat impunity with that of sustaining peace and promoting national reconciliation, as well as the passing of the required legislation for the successful holding of elections in 2011. The Assembly may also wish to urge the international community to continue to provide the necessary support. 73. In Burundi, the period under review was devoted mainly to preparations for the electoral process which will take place within four months approximately. Five elections have been slated for this period. 21 May saw the organization of Communal Council elections, followed by presidential elections on 28 June. Parliamentary will be held on 23 July, senatorial elections on 28 July and that of the Conseil de collines ou de quartiers,on 7 September 2010. 74. The provisional results of the Communal Council elections published on 28 May 2010 confirmed the victory of the ruling party – the National Council for Defense of Democracy/Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD), with 64.03%. The nation-wide turnout was estimated at 90.67%. These results were promptly rejected by eight opposition parties, which denounced alleged irregularities, calling for the annulment of the elections. The Electoral Commission refuted these accusations. The opposition parties decided to withdraw from the presidential race. As a result, these elections, which were held on 28 June 2010, were conducted in a climate of tension. The outgoing President, Pierre Nkurunziza, who was the sole candidate, won the elections with 91.62% of the votes; and participation at 79.98%. 75. The Assembly may wish to make an urgent appeal to all the political players to draw lessons from the communal and presidential elections, and join hands to promote and protect the democratic process in their country by participating in the next election. No efforts should be spared to prevent undermine the political and democratic achievements made in the past few years. 76. In the DRC, the period under review was marked by the continued implementation of the Agreements signed in 2008 and 2009 and by the consolidation of the relations of cooperation with neighbouring countries. All this was taking place against a backdrop of persistent “residual” insecurity in the Kivus and in the Eastern Province, all at a time when the Congolese Authorities are actively engaged in managing the security and humanitarian consequences of the events that occurred earlier in the year in Equator Province. 77. The operations of the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), backed by the United Nations Mission in Congo (MONUC), against foreign armed groups (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) enabled the Congolese Government to neutralize a substantial number of the elements of the negative forces. At the same time with assistance of African and foreign partners, the efforts geared towards reform and building the operational capacities of the Army and security services continue. Furthermore, the Government is actively preparing for the 2011 general elections and subsequent ones. In this