UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
9 Mar
2009
DRC Press Review
Friday's Kinshasa press mainly discusses the current political transition in the DRC, the security situation in the country's eastern part and the tripartite meeting in Lubumbashi between Kinshasa, Kigali and Kampala.
There is still lively debate whether or not the political transition in the DR will be extended. According to LE POTENTIEL, 'given the partial electoral calendar published by the Independent Electoral Commission, with the identification of electors to begin in June, there is no longer any doubt as to the transition being extended.' But, as the paper sees it, 'a restructuring is conceivable.' 'The government may have to under some change in its organisation and functioning. This could mean a shift to a 1+4+1 formula (as opposed to the current 1+4), which would see the current President and four Vice-Presidents maintained under narrower terms of references, and a prime minister or a coordinator coming on board,' the paper speculates.
On the same subject, LE PHARE, quoting directly from Joseph Kabila's interview dated October 7, 2004, writes 'If we do not succeed in organising elections, the logical consequence for everybody would be to step down.'
LA REFERENCE PLUS refers to the National Assembly's current examination of the initial draft of the future Constitution. Two of the disputed issues are about what should be the required minimum age for the President, and the form of the State. Under the headline 'the vote has settled [the disputes]', the paper reports that the political, administrative and judicial 'Commission opted for fixing the minimum age to stand in the presidential election at 30.' While the 'Commission failed to reach a decision on the form of the State,' the paper notes, 'it however defined the respective powers for the central government and the provinces.'
On the peace process in the DRC, L'OBSERVATEUR notes that 'Guy Verhostadt calls on Museveni to get involved.' The paper quotes the Belgian Prime Minister in saying that the Uganda President's direct involvement in the transition process in the DRC 'would prove to be a deciding factor in the success of the peace process in the Great Lakes region, and in the DRC in particular.'
Warning about security threats to the eastern part of the DRC, L'AVENIR titles 'The [so-called] federal army of the Congo is currently under training in Rwanda.' This is 'in preparation for the secession of North Kivu,' writes the paper, explaining that the aim is 'to impose federalism at all costs, or to disrupt [the future] elections in the east in order to isolate North Kivu and thus complete the project to annex this part of the Congolese territory.'
LE POTENTIEL reports that 'General Kisempia, the chief of staff of the FARDC (Congolese armed forces) met with the Force Commander of MONUC.' It was 'a courtesy visit [by the Force Commander], as well as an opportunity to exchange views on questions of cooperation in security matters in this key period where the two parties need to collaborate closely,' the paper says.
'FDLR: Rwanda still adamant,' titles LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES, referring to the current the tripartite meeting in Lubumbashi (Katanga province) between the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda. According to the paper, 'local sources say other participants did not share the stand taken yesterday by Kigali on the issue of the FDLR [Rwandan Hutu rebels].' 'The disagreement arises from the fact Rwanda maintains that the FDLR should not be given any special treatment and that they should therefore return to [Rwanda] unconditionally,' says the paper, warning that this situation 'could impede the full return of peace to the Great Lakes region.'
Also on the Lubumbashi tripartite meeting, LE POTENTIEL mentions that 'the discussions continue at the levels of sub-commissions, with regard to the joint verification mechanism [at common borders], the DDRRR process and international support for the demobilisation process.'
On the same subject, LE PHARE, quoting directly from Joseph Kabila's interview dated October 7, 2004, writes 'If we do not succeed in organising elections, the logical consequence for everybody would be to step down.'
LA REFERENCE PLUS refers to the National Assembly's current examination of the initial draft of the future Constitution. Two of the disputed issues are about what should be the required minimum age for the President, and the form of the State. Under the headline 'the vote has settled [the disputes]', the paper reports that the political, administrative and judicial 'Commission opted for fixing the minimum age to stand in the presidential election at 30.' While the 'Commission failed to reach a decision on the form of the State,' the paper notes, 'it however defined the respective powers for the central government and the provinces.'
On the peace process in the DRC, L'OBSERVATEUR notes that 'Guy Verhostadt calls on Museveni to get involved.' The paper quotes the Belgian Prime Minister in saying that the Uganda President's direct involvement in the transition process in the DRC 'would prove to be a deciding factor in the success of the peace process in the Great Lakes region, and in the DRC in particular.'
Warning about security threats to the eastern part of the DRC, L'AVENIR titles 'The [so-called] federal army of the Congo is currently under training in Rwanda.' This is 'in preparation for the secession of North Kivu,' writes the paper, explaining that the aim is 'to impose federalism at all costs, or to disrupt [the future] elections in the east in order to isolate North Kivu and thus complete the project to annex this part of the Congolese territory.'
LE POTENTIEL reports that 'General Kisempia, the chief of staff of the FARDC (Congolese armed forces) met with the Force Commander of MONUC.' It was 'a courtesy visit [by the Force Commander], as well as an opportunity to exchange views on questions of cooperation in security matters in this key period where the two parties need to collaborate closely,' the paper says.
'FDLR: Rwanda still adamant,' titles LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES, referring to the current the tripartite meeting in Lubumbashi (Katanga province) between the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda. According to the paper, 'local sources say other participants did not share the stand taken yesterday by Kigali on the issue of the FDLR [Rwandan Hutu rebels].' 'The disagreement arises from the fact Rwanda maintains that the FDLR should not be given any special treatment and that they should therefore return to [Rwanda] unconditionally,' says the paper, warning that this situation 'could impede the full return of peace to the Great Lakes region.'
Also on the Lubumbashi tripartite meeting, LE POTENTIEL mentions that 'the discussions continue at the levels of sub-commissions, with regard to the joint verification mechanism [at common borders], the DDRRR process and international support for the demobilisation process.'
