[JURIST] Election officials announced Saturday that citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo [JURIST news archive] approved a new constitution [draft text in French; AP summary] in a referendum [JURIST report] held December 18. The charter is designed to bring peace to the country after five years of war and provides for national elections to be held next year. International observers declared the vote to have been free and fair [Reuters report] but "no" vote supporters have vowed to appeal the result of 83% in favor, alleging unfair support for the "yes" side from the international community. Reuters has more.