UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
9 Mar
2009
DRC Press Review
*Original text in French
Most of today's Kinshasa press is focused on the on-going political transition in the DRC.
Already in its Monday edition, LE POTENTIEL warned of a 'worrying bipolarisation' appearing at a time when 'the countdown to the end of the transition has actually started'. In today's edition, the paper lets different political actors react on that. Hence the title 'Political negotiations: MPR, RCD, PALU, G14'react.' RCD's secretary-general is quoted as saying 'RCD keeps calling for call for a dialogue to avoid an unnecessary clash with those not participating in the government. I'm referring to (such parties as) PALU, UDPS and G14 which now voiced their concerns.'
An MP from PALU, Mr. Buzitu, is quoted in LE POTENTIEL as saying: 'There is indeed a bipolarisation, which is embodied by the numerical majority in power vs. the popular majority. The latter majority currently reflects the population's concerns and demands. All we do is giving voice to these concerns.'
In the same regard, LE PHARE reports 'pro-Kabila politicians seeking mediation by CIAT' (CIAT/French acronym for the International Committee In Support of the Transition). LE PHARE reveals that 'in a memo to the International Committee In Support of the Transition, M17 proposes holding consultations between the presidential council on one hand and on the other hand M17, UDPS, PALU, with the president of the Senate also in attendance.'
The UDPS party has already announced an end to the current transition as of 30 June 2005. But 'The institutions of the transition will not stop (functioning) at midnight 30 June 2005,' writes LA REFERENCE PLUS, referring to 'the United Congolese Convention party's response to the UDPS ultimatum.' According to this party, 'The current officials of the transition will not give in to such blackmail,' because ' reckless tactics cannot deny the DRC a chance of having a smooth transition to democracy.'
Also regarding UDPS, L'OBSERVATEUR wonders whether this party 'could be in for trouble with international justice.' Citing some 'internal indiscretions suggesting that a scandal could hit the country's oldest opposition party,' the paper reports: 'bad management of asylum seeker's funds and the cupidity of some party members could lead to the party appearing before competent courts.'
In regards to elections, LE PALMARES, citing President Jacques Chirac's advisor for African Affairs, Michel Bonnescorse, writes: 'Chirac still standing at the DRC's bedside.' Mr. Bonnescorse has declared himself 'resolutely optimistic, affirming that the census of electors will go ahead on May 10,' the paper reports. 'The transition process is not a calendar but an objective,' stresses the paper, echoing Mr. Bonnescorse's words.
The situation in Ituri also continues to hit headlines. 'The recent horrors in Ituri call for International Criminal Court (ICC) action,' titles L'AVENIR, reporting the opening of a training seminar for civilian and military magistrates, judicial police officers and lawyers from government ministries involved in ICC activities in the DRC.
Also concerning Ituri, LE PHARE, quoting a release from the UN mission in Congo, reports that 'MONUC congratulates the Congolese authorities on the arrest of militia leader Kahwa.' Citing the same release, L'AVENIR stresses that 'MONUC encourages the Congolese authorities to continue their actions against impunity in Ituri.'
Looking at the economic situation, L'OBSERVATEUR announces that 'after the economic stabilisation measures of March 2005: an 11 billion Congolese francs (Fc) surplus registered.' It is reported '42 billion Fc in receipts and 31 billion Fc in expenses,' the paper explains. All of this has been achieved in a 'context of rigorous budgetary, as well as monetary measures put in place in February respectively by the government and the Central Bank of Congo, in a bid to reverse the economic programme's counter-performances.'
An MP from PALU, Mr. Buzitu, is quoted in LE POTENTIEL as saying: 'There is indeed a bipolarisation, which is embodied by the numerical majority in power vs. the popular majority. The latter majority currently reflects the population's concerns and demands. All we do is giving voice to these concerns.'
In the same regard, LE PHARE reports 'pro-Kabila politicians seeking mediation by CIAT' (CIAT/French acronym for the International Committee In Support of the Transition). LE PHARE reveals that 'in a memo to the International Committee In Support of the Transition, M17 proposes holding consultations between the presidential council on one hand and on the other hand M17, UDPS, PALU, with the president of the Senate also in attendance.'
The UDPS party has already announced an end to the current transition as of 30 June 2005. But 'The institutions of the transition will not stop (functioning) at midnight 30 June 2005,' writes LA REFERENCE PLUS, referring to 'the United Congolese Convention party's response to the UDPS ultimatum.' According to this party, 'The current officials of the transition will not give in to such blackmail,' because ' reckless tactics cannot deny the DRC a chance of having a smooth transition to democracy.'
Also regarding UDPS, L'OBSERVATEUR wonders whether this party 'could be in for trouble with international justice.' Citing some 'internal indiscretions suggesting that a scandal could hit the country's oldest opposition party,' the paper reports: 'bad management of asylum seeker's funds and the cupidity of some party members could lead to the party appearing before competent courts.'
In regards to elections, LE PALMARES, citing President Jacques Chirac's advisor for African Affairs, Michel Bonnescorse, writes: 'Chirac still standing at the DRC's bedside.' Mr. Bonnescorse has declared himself 'resolutely optimistic, affirming that the census of electors will go ahead on May 10,' the paper reports. 'The transition process is not a calendar but an objective,' stresses the paper, echoing Mr. Bonnescorse's words.
The situation in Ituri also continues to hit headlines. 'The recent horrors in Ituri call for International Criminal Court (ICC) action,' titles L'AVENIR, reporting the opening of a training seminar for civilian and military magistrates, judicial police officers and lawyers from government ministries involved in ICC activities in the DRC.
Also concerning Ituri, LE PHARE, quoting a release from the UN mission in Congo, reports that 'MONUC congratulates the Congolese authorities on the arrest of militia leader Kahwa.' Citing the same release, L'AVENIR stresses that 'MONUC encourages the Congolese authorities to continue their actions against impunity in Ituri.'
Looking at the economic situation, L'OBSERVATEUR announces that 'after the economic stabilisation measures of March 2005: an 11 billion Congolese francs (Fc) surplus registered.' It is reported '42 billion Fc in receipts and 31 billion Fc in expenses,' the paper explains. All of this has been achieved in a 'context of rigorous budgetary, as well as monetary measures put in place in February respectively by the government and the Central Bank of Congo, in a bid to reverse the economic programme's counter-performances.'
