The main topic in today's press in the DRC capital is the death of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kinshasa, Cardinal Frédéric Etsou.

Admitted to hospital for several months, Cardinal Frédéric Etsou Nzabi Bamongwabi died on 6 January, at 8:50 p.m. at University Hospital in Leuven in Belgium. The sad news is printed in all local newspapers including Le Potentiel which notes: "Many Christians knew Cardinal Frédéric Etsou was sick." "During the Eucharistic celebration [and Mass to commemorate the first anniversary of the death] of Pope John Paul, at the cathédrale Sainte-Marie, Cardinal Etsou had difficulties reading the homily and his walk was slow," this paper recalls. On another occasion, it recalls further, "in the midst of the Eucharistic celebration at the Parish Church Saint-Pierre of Kinshasa last year, he [Cardinal Etsou] was evacuated, after feeling faint ad unwell."

From Europe where he was evacuated, the DRC's top Roman Catholic prelate continued « to follow closely the development of the political situation in his country," L'Observateur notes. In an interview with Radio France International (RFI) on 11 November 2006, just days prior to the proclamation of the outcome of the 29 October 2006 run-off presidential election, Cardinal Etsou "denounced any attempt to impose on the Congolese people a candidate [who would be there] just to satisfy the gluttonous and predatory appetites of his foreign backers [seeking to grab] our mineral wealth," Le Potentiel recalls. On that same occasion, he also urged the head of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), [catholic priest Appolinaire] Malumalu "not to lend his support to lies..."

L'Observateur recalls how the prelate's declaration caused «a stir in Kinshasa » and the fierce "debate that ensued between those who disapproved his words and those who supported him." And even if all of this is now belongs to this man's past, writes La Tempête des Tropiques, he will always be "remembered for his unflinching commitment for a fair society based on an equitable distribution of national income." In reality, Cardinal Etsou "never dissociated political vocation from ecclesiastical apostolate."

In other news, Le Palmarès, quoting a statement from the Independent Electoral Commission, reports that "19 January 2007 is the new date set for the election of senators" in the DRC.