The situation in eastern DRC, with the media resurgence of Nkunda, occupies a lot of lines in the national press this Friday 3 October 2008. Other topics include the liberty of the press and the resignation of Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga.

Politics and diplomacy

Le Potential says that" the national deputies members of the AMP conferred Tuesday and Thursday in Kinshasa around the designation of the future Prime Minister and criterias prevailing criteria to choose the members of the next government. According to this newspaper, it "suggests the respect of national representation."

Although united yesterday for the exam of some law projects, "the National Assembly and the Senate [are] blocked by the government's resignation," indicates Le Palmarès. L'Observateur says that "the government's absence prevents the holding of the plenary."

In diplomacy, Le Potential signals that "Joseph Kabila received [yesterday] introduction letters from Pierre Jacquemot [the new ambassador of France in the DRC.] "

Situation in the east

"Rumoured to be ill or even dead... Nkunda reappears and removes the mask!" says Le Palmarès on the front page this Friday 3 October 2008. "Nkunda displays big political ambitions," notes Le Potential on the same topic. In an interview granted to BBC Africa yesterday," Nkunda won't return to the Amani Programme. "

"Well on the contrary, he decided to spread his rebellion and lead it to Kinshasa," indicates Le Potential, stating that Nkunda's movement names itself henceforth "Le Mouvement de Libération Totale du Congo."

For L'Avenir, "by the creation of this movement, Nkundabatware wants to demonstrate that he abandoned the struggle for the Rwandaphone, for the dress and coat of liberator of the whole Congo."

However, notes L'Observateur, South Kivu Governor Louis Léonce Chirimwami is of opinion that "South Kivu can become easily a net exporter of peace... under the condition that it endows the Amani Programme with the necessary means."

Society, Health and Development

According to Le Palmarès, a walk of protest will be organized by the striking teachers today Friday on the occasion of the international day of teachers.

Justice, human rights and media

Le Palmarès says that "the military court returned yesterday its verdict in the case that opposed the Public Ministry to pastor Kuthino and his associates before this jurisdiction..."10 years of jail for Kuthino and 5 years for Bompere!"

Meanwhile, "a person in their eighties died in Bukavu's central prison due to lack of food," indicates the same newspaper.

La Tempête des Tropiques says that Mr. Pierre Ndeze," press attaché of North Kivu governor, is in secret detention in the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) prison in Kinshasa...suspected by the ANR to be the source of information of journalist Ghislaine Dupont of RFI."

The newspaper makes known that "la Voix des Sans-Voix NGO for human rights (VSV) expresses some concerns on life and health of Pierre Ndeze... accused by the ANR of 'treason and heavy faults'."

On the other hand, La Tempête des Tropiques indicates that "MONUC deplores the repeated attacks on the freedom of speech in the DRC." This newspaper adds that MONUC "reminds the authorities of their obligations in the domain of fundamental liberties... [and] commits to promote the protection of human rights in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolution 1794.

Despite this, Le Potential is astonished with the case of Gabriel Mokia in Kinshasa Central Prison who is "henceforth behind closed doors." The newspaper indicates that "according to the main entry policemen, some instructions have been given to them by their hierarchy in order to block the entry of the press into the prison, under any circumstances."

On another subject, Le Potential announces that "MONUC Force Commander General Babacar Gaye is leaving the DRC after three and a half years as head of the Blue Helmets."

The newspaper indicates that, during his last press conference in MONUC yesterday (Thursday), General Gaye recognized the enormous progress accomplished by MONUC and its forces, also underlining his conviction that his successor [General Vicente Diaz de Villegas] will give his best to finish the task."