UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
6 Mar
2009
DRC Press Review of October 1st, 2004
*Original in French
The pending UN Security Council decision on more troops for MONUC, the announced appointments of heads of State-owned companies and the situation in North Kivu are among the main subjects discussed in today's local press.
The pending UN Security Council decision on more troops for MONUC, the announced appointments of heads of State-owned companies and the situation in North Kivu are among the main subjects discussed in today's local press.
'The UN Security Council could today adopt a draft resolution introduced by France, which would reinforce the UN Mission's force in the DRC in the DRC,' announces L'AVENIR, adding that the resolution would increase MONUC force by 5,900 troops. That is, fewer troops than France had asked for in an initial proposal, the paper notes. But at the same time, the Security Council would give MONUC a new mandate, as the current one expires this Friday October 1st, 2004.
Quoting the French news agency (AFP), L'OBSERVATEUR explains that the additional 5,900 troops were was agreed to after Security Council members had failed to reach a consensus on the proposed 13,400, essentially because of the high demands on UN peacekeeping resources. A good many Council members, however, agree on the need to strengthen MONUC, as the force operates in a country that remains the scene of violent ethnic clashes, especially in its eastern parts. For example, the Pakistani ambassador to the UN, Munir Afram, while 'regretting that the number of troops initially requested for MONUC had been reduced,' said that 'the number recommended by the Secretary-General was suitable, given the size of the DRC.'
President Joseph Kabila's position on the question of the appointment of new heads of State-owned companies has provoked a new row within the espace presidentiel, according to LE POTENTIEL. As the paper recalls, Joseph Kabila's position, announced d by his spokesman, is that 'State-owned companies are not to be divided up [among the components], and [that] everyone should have a chance to run a public company provided the requirements of integrity, credibility and technical competence are met.'
Those presidential views have rejected by almost all other parties, according to LE PALMARES. There is 'anger and discontentment' almost everywhere, writes the paper, explaining that Joseph Kabila is accused of violating the spirit of the Global and All-Inclusive Agreement, which calls for power sharing at all levels. 'Given that the country is now run in a consensual way, the decision ought to have been discussed either within the 'espace presidentiel' or within the Government,' the papers says.
According to LE POTENTIEL, the Congolese Rally for Democracy has 'categorically' rejected the President's decision, arguing that 'power sharing is provided for in both the Global and All-Inclusive Agreement and the Constitution.' RCD secretary-general Crispin Kabasele Tshimanga recalls that the Government has set up a special commission to resolve the power sharing issue at the level of diplomatic missions and State-owned companies, the paper reports. According to the RCD, 'if the head of State endorses the position given by his spokesman, then he has violated the Global and All-Inclusive Agreement.'
Concerning power sharing at the level of diplomatic missions, LE POTENTIEL announces that an agreement has been reached on the following distribution among the components: 'the PPRD (presidential party) will nominate diplomats to Belgium, the US and South Africa, while the RCD will propose diplomatic candidates for Great Britain, Nigerian and the European Union. The MLC will provide ambassadors to France and Gabon and the DRC consulate in Antwerp. The Political Opposition will nominate ambassadors to Russia, Italy and Namibia; Civil Society, to China, Mozambique and the Czech Republic; the RCD-KML, to Angola, while the Maï Maï and the RCD-N will each nominate an ambassador to Zambia and the Central African Republic.'
According to LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES, a dangerous situation is brewing in North Kivu, created by 'the refusal of the mayor of Beni to follow the instructions of the governor, Eugene Serufuli.' The mayor of Beni resists the governor's decision suspending him for a specified period of time, says the paper, warning that 'this situation could create friction between the different components and entities that have accepted to work together in the spirit of national reconciliation called for in the Global and All-Inclusive.'
FORUM DES AS announces that the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antoine Ghonda, has emerged from his silence to voice his views on the controversy surrounding his dismissal and his subsequent appointment as President Joseph Kabila's ambassador at large. According to the paper, Ghonda has never joined the PPRD (presidential party), or even less resigned from the MLC.
Quoting the French news agency (AFP), L'OBSERVATEUR explains that the additional 5,900 troops were was agreed to after Security Council members had failed to reach a consensus on the proposed 13,400, essentially because of the high demands on UN peacekeeping resources. A good many Council members, however, agree on the need to strengthen MONUC, as the force operates in a country that remains the scene of violent ethnic clashes, especially in its eastern parts. For example, the Pakistani ambassador to the UN, Munir Afram, while 'regretting that the number of troops initially requested for MONUC had been reduced,' said that 'the number recommended by the Secretary-General was suitable, given the size of the DRC.'
President Joseph Kabila's position on the question of the appointment of new heads of State-owned companies has provoked a new row within the espace presidentiel, according to LE POTENTIEL. As the paper recalls, Joseph Kabila's position, announced d by his spokesman, is that 'State-owned companies are not to be divided up [among the components], and [that] everyone should have a chance to run a public company provided the requirements of integrity, credibility and technical competence are met.'
Those presidential views have rejected by almost all other parties, according to LE PALMARES. There is 'anger and discontentment' almost everywhere, writes the paper, explaining that Joseph Kabila is accused of violating the spirit of the Global and All-Inclusive Agreement, which calls for power sharing at all levels. 'Given that the country is now run in a consensual way, the decision ought to have been discussed either within the 'espace presidentiel' or within the Government,' the papers says.
According to LE POTENTIEL, the Congolese Rally for Democracy has 'categorically' rejected the President's decision, arguing that 'power sharing is provided for in both the Global and All-Inclusive Agreement and the Constitution.' RCD secretary-general Crispin Kabasele Tshimanga recalls that the Government has set up a special commission to resolve the power sharing issue at the level of diplomatic missions and State-owned companies, the paper reports. According to the RCD, 'if the head of State endorses the position given by his spokesman, then he has violated the Global and All-Inclusive Agreement.'
Concerning power sharing at the level of diplomatic missions, LE POTENTIEL announces that an agreement has been reached on the following distribution among the components: 'the PPRD (presidential party) will nominate diplomats to Belgium, the US and South Africa, while the RCD will propose diplomatic candidates for Great Britain, Nigerian and the European Union. The MLC will provide ambassadors to France and Gabon and the DRC consulate in Antwerp. The Political Opposition will nominate ambassadors to Russia, Italy and Namibia; Civil Society, to China, Mozambique and the Czech Republic; the RCD-KML, to Angola, while the Maï Maï and the RCD-N will each nominate an ambassador to Zambia and the Central African Republic.'
According to LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES, a dangerous situation is brewing in North Kivu, created by 'the refusal of the mayor of Beni to follow the instructions of the governor, Eugene Serufuli.' The mayor of Beni resists the governor's decision suspending him for a specified period of time, says the paper, warning that 'this situation could create friction between the different components and entities that have accepted to work together in the spirit of national reconciliation called for in the Global and All-Inclusive.'
FORUM DES AS announces that the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antoine Ghonda, has emerged from his silence to voice his views on the controversy surrounding his dismissal and his subsequent appointment as President Joseph Kabila's ambassador at large. According to the paper, Ghonda has never joined the PPRD (presidential party), or even less resigned from the MLC.
