*Original in French
Today's Kinshasa press is mainly devoted to the question of the financing of future general elections planned for June 2005. Other subjects include the question of nationality under discussion in the Senate.
Today's Kinshasa press is mainly devoted to the question of the financing of future general elections planned for June 2005. Other subjects include the question of nationality under discussion in the Senate.
'280 million dollars are needed to organise elections in the DRC' announces L'OBSERVATEUR, quoting Father Appollinaire Malu-Malu, the President of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Last month, the paper recalls, the European Union announced 80 million dollars in financial support for the electoral process, and France, '5 million euros, in addition to 30 millions euros already made available.' Of the 250 million euros (or 280 million dollars) needed, 115 million euros are already available, notes LE PALMARES, asking, 'Where are we going to get that money''
'We are awaiting from the Transitional Government the necessary financial means for the functioning of the IEC,' L'OBSERVATEUR quotes Father Malu-Malu as saying. 'There is no delay so far. It is the outcome of the current extraordinary parliamentary session that will determine if there is really a delay,' he said. The transition period could be extended, he also said, 'if the laws that must accompany elections in the DRC - particularly the census and nationality laws, which are currently under examination in Parliament ' were not adopted and promulgated on time.' Father Malu-Malu 'criticised any behaviour aiming to delay the organisation of elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,' the paper says. 'As the parliamentary machinery is working, the Transitional Government has no excuse. Neither does the Parliament. They must work day and night as we also do,' Malu-Malu is quoted as saying.
'First clashes in the Senate', titles LE POTENTIEL, speaking about doubts about the authenticity of the working document the Senators have received. 'The text under examination by the Senators appears to be a fake and more recent one. The real text was prior to this one and was amended by the Council of Ministers,' the paper says. But according to the Senate's rapporteur, Lambert Mende, 'The document that the Senators received was not fake but genuine.' Speaking at the session held on July 26 at the Palais du Peuple and which the paper describes as 'a heated debate', Mende dismissed 'the idea that there were two different texts,' the paper says. A majority of Senators accused the Government of having come up with a law that enables anyone to easily acquire Congolese nationality. Others simply recommended sending the text back to the Government, according to the paper. 'What must be avoided is turning Congo into a dump ground, which could be invaded by all countries of he world,' LE POTENTIEL quotes one Senator as saying. 28 Senators has asked to speak, says the paper, adding that the debate was due to resume today, before it is allowed to continue within commissions.
In a story titled 'The Senators divided over the notion of dual nationality,' FORUM DES AS mentions Monday's presentation by the Minister of Justice on 'the philosophy and general wisdom of the draft law on nationality.' Kisimba Ngoy recalled the Inter Congolese Dialogue, at which it was decided to put an end to the social divide resulting from the question of nationality, thus enabling to foster peaceful coexistence of all communities throughout the national territory. 'The law currently under examination is designed to take into account modern norms of the right to nationality and international conventions,' the Minister is quoted as saying.
Titling 'The Senate says no to the draft nationality law submitted by the Government,' L'AVENIR writes, 'It is the wish of the Senators to adopt this law but only for the transition period, given the vagueness and ambiguity it contains.'
According to LE PHARE, 'The transition is in danger' because the 'demobilisation' is a 'risky gamble for the Government.' The paper recalls and hails the Government's decision to set the national army's troop strength at 100,000, not 300,000 or more, as some wish. 'Unfortunately, problems remain, for example, that of demobilising 200,000 soldiers and officers. On the basis of what criteria will these compatriots return to civilian life'' asks the paper, referring to 'a demobilisation operation that creates frustrations among the uniformed men concerned.' Mentioning the apprehensions of both the Vice President in charge of the Defence and Security Commission and the army chief of staff in this regard, the paper says the two see no future for the transition 'if the noble intention to set up a republican army should result in failure.' LE PHARE deplores the hastiness with which the delegates to the Inter Congolese Dialogue have settled the political contention, to the detriment of the question of the army. 'Good sense should have led them to address first the problem of the multitude of armies and militias, and the warlords leading these. But the mistake of these political actors and civil society representatives was to believe that resolving the political crisis would mean a way out of the military crisis,' the paper comments. It describes as 'a social bomb' the thousands of men and women to be demobilised, saying that all they want is to earn a living, have a roof over their heads, conduct some lucrative activity, etc, and mostly not to be abandoned to themselves. 'The biggest mistake to be avoided by those responsible for the demobilisation operation would be to misappropriate the colossal amounts of money placed at their disposal for the social reintegration of those concerned,' the paper warns. It also recommends forgiving the thousands of deserters 'who some are hiding in the capital and in the provinces and others abroad. If not, the country will likely continue to live in fear of thousands of dissidents capable of disrupting the transition, as evidenced by the March 28 insurgency and that of June 2-9 in Bukavu and Kamanyola.'
'Joseph Kabila angry with his family,' L'AVENIR announces. Quoting Radio Okapi, the paper says that during a family gathering held in Lubumbashi on July 25, President gave a warning to his relatives 'who use their familial status to commit crimes of all kinds, thinking they are above the law.' According to LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES, which titles 'The presidential family called to order,' the Congolese President 'made his family members understand that they must not behave as if they were princes in a kingdom,' but they should 'organise themselves and work to earn their living, as other Congolese do and as the Bible recommends. '
'Risks of radiation exist,' titles LA REFERENCE PLUS, recalling the recent collapse of the uranium mine at Shinkolobwe in Katanga province. 'MONUC dispatched a team of investigators to the mine site, but they were denied access to Shinkolobwe,' the paper reports.
'MONUC harshly criticised at the US Congress,' titles LE POTENTIEL, referring to the oral question on 'Peace Agreement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a year after', which was raised by the chairman of the sub-commission of the Africa chamber, Republican Ed Royece on July 22. According to the paper, he accused MONUC of having failed in protecting civilians during the latest events in Bukavu and in the disarmament and reintegration of rebel forces. 'There were several calls for MONUC's reform', the paper says.
The press in Kinshasa pays a last tribute to Jerome Ngongo. The 35-year-old journalist of Radio Okapi died on July 23 from a heart attack. The press gives an account of yesterday's official ceremony, which was held at MONUC headquarters in Kinshasa to honour the journalist's memory. MONUC personnel, colleague journalists, several political personalities, friends and family members of the deceased attended the ceremony. 'Jerome Ngongo's burial is due to take place today afternoon,' L'OBSERVATEUR announces. 'Upon the arrival of the body at MONUC headquarters, his colleagues of Radio Okapi, MONUC personnel and anyone who knew him could not help breaking into tears,' says LE PHARE, which extends its condolences to the UN radio and the bereaved family of the deceased.
'We are awaiting from the Transitional Government the necessary financial means for the functioning of the IEC,' L'OBSERVATEUR quotes Father Malu-Malu as saying. 'There is no delay so far. It is the outcome of the current extraordinary parliamentary session that will determine if there is really a delay,' he said. The transition period could be extended, he also said, 'if the laws that must accompany elections in the DRC - particularly the census and nationality laws, which are currently under examination in Parliament ' were not adopted and promulgated on time.' Father Malu-Malu 'criticised any behaviour aiming to delay the organisation of elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,' the paper says. 'As the parliamentary machinery is working, the Transitional Government has no excuse. Neither does the Parliament. They must work day and night as we also do,' Malu-Malu is quoted as saying.
'First clashes in the Senate', titles LE POTENTIEL, speaking about doubts about the authenticity of the working document the Senators have received. 'The text under examination by the Senators appears to be a fake and more recent one. The real text was prior to this one and was amended by the Council of Ministers,' the paper says. But according to the Senate's rapporteur, Lambert Mende, 'The document that the Senators received was not fake but genuine.' Speaking at the session held on July 26 at the Palais du Peuple and which the paper describes as 'a heated debate', Mende dismissed 'the idea that there were two different texts,' the paper says. A majority of Senators accused the Government of having come up with a law that enables anyone to easily acquire Congolese nationality. Others simply recommended sending the text back to the Government, according to the paper. 'What must be avoided is turning Congo into a dump ground, which could be invaded by all countries of he world,' LE POTENTIEL quotes one Senator as saying. 28 Senators has asked to speak, says the paper, adding that the debate was due to resume today, before it is allowed to continue within commissions.
In a story titled 'The Senators divided over the notion of dual nationality,' FORUM DES AS mentions Monday's presentation by the Minister of Justice on 'the philosophy and general wisdom of the draft law on nationality.' Kisimba Ngoy recalled the Inter Congolese Dialogue, at which it was decided to put an end to the social divide resulting from the question of nationality, thus enabling to foster peaceful coexistence of all communities throughout the national territory. 'The law currently under examination is designed to take into account modern norms of the right to nationality and international conventions,' the Minister is quoted as saying.
Titling 'The Senate says no to the draft nationality law submitted by the Government,' L'AVENIR writes, 'It is the wish of the Senators to adopt this law but only for the transition period, given the vagueness and ambiguity it contains.'
According to LE PHARE, 'The transition is in danger' because the 'demobilisation' is a 'risky gamble for the Government.' The paper recalls and hails the Government's decision to set the national army's troop strength at 100,000, not 300,000 or more, as some wish. 'Unfortunately, problems remain, for example, that of demobilising 200,000 soldiers and officers. On the basis of what criteria will these compatriots return to civilian life'' asks the paper, referring to 'a demobilisation operation that creates frustrations among the uniformed men concerned.' Mentioning the apprehensions of both the Vice President in charge of the Defence and Security Commission and the army chief of staff in this regard, the paper says the two see no future for the transition 'if the noble intention to set up a republican army should result in failure.' LE PHARE deplores the hastiness with which the delegates to the Inter Congolese Dialogue have settled the political contention, to the detriment of the question of the army. 'Good sense should have led them to address first the problem of the multitude of armies and militias, and the warlords leading these. But the mistake of these political actors and civil society representatives was to believe that resolving the political crisis would mean a way out of the military crisis,' the paper comments. It describes as 'a social bomb' the thousands of men and women to be demobilised, saying that all they want is to earn a living, have a roof over their heads, conduct some lucrative activity, etc, and mostly not to be abandoned to themselves. 'The biggest mistake to be avoided by those responsible for the demobilisation operation would be to misappropriate the colossal amounts of money placed at their disposal for the social reintegration of those concerned,' the paper warns. It also recommends forgiving the thousands of deserters 'who some are hiding in the capital and in the provinces and others abroad. If not, the country will likely continue to live in fear of thousands of dissidents capable of disrupting the transition, as evidenced by the March 28 insurgency and that of June 2-9 in Bukavu and Kamanyola.'
'Joseph Kabila angry with his family,' L'AVENIR announces. Quoting Radio Okapi, the paper says that during a family gathering held in Lubumbashi on July 25, President gave a warning to his relatives 'who use their familial status to commit crimes of all kinds, thinking they are above the law.' According to LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES, which titles 'The presidential family called to order,' the Congolese President 'made his family members understand that they must not behave as if they were princes in a kingdom,' but they should 'organise themselves and work to earn their living, as other Congolese do and as the Bible recommends. '
'Risks of radiation exist,' titles LA REFERENCE PLUS, recalling the recent collapse of the uranium mine at Shinkolobwe in Katanga province. 'MONUC dispatched a team of investigators to the mine site, but they were denied access to Shinkolobwe,' the paper reports.
'MONUC harshly criticised at the US Congress,' titles LE POTENTIEL, referring to the oral question on 'Peace Agreement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: a year after', which was raised by the chairman of the sub-commission of the Africa chamber, Republican Ed Royece on July 22. According to the paper, he accused MONUC of having failed in protecting civilians during the latest events in Bukavu and in the disarmament and reintegration of rebel forces. 'There were several calls for MONUC's reform', the paper says.
The press in Kinshasa pays a last tribute to Jerome Ngongo. The 35-year-old journalist of Radio Okapi died on July 23 from a heart attack. The press gives an account of yesterday's official ceremony, which was held at MONUC headquarters in Kinshasa to honour the journalist's memory. MONUC personnel, colleague journalists, several political personalities, friends and family members of the deceased attended the ceremony. 'Jerome Ngongo's burial is due to take place today afternoon,' L'OBSERVATEUR announces. 'Upon the arrival of the body at MONUC headquarters, his colleagues of Radio Okapi, MONUC personnel and anyone who knew him could not help breaking into tears,' says LE PHARE, which extends its condolences to the UN radio and the bereaved family of the deceased.
