10 Mar 2009

MONUC Press Review - 8 December 2005

The attention of today's Kinshasa press focuses mainly on Olivier Kamitatu, president of the National Assembly's response after his dismissal from both his position as secretary-general of the Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC) and as member of that party.

Dismissed from his post as secretary-general of the Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC) and even removed from that party's membership rolls, Olivier Kamitatu did not wait to respond. The founders of the MLC, the party of Congolese Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba, accused Kamitatu of insubordination, diversion of party members and continuation of secret negotiations with third-parties (...). In a statement, Kamitatu informs the "public in Congo and the world beyond, in particular the members of the MLC [that he] did not resign from the party, in neither a tacit or explicit manner. [Therefore, he] remains a founding member and secretary-general of the MLC (...) and president of the National Assembly," Le Potentiel reports. Summing up Kamitatu's words, Le Phare writes "Here I am and here I stay." The National Assembly president, remaining "true to [his] understanding of the rule of law, asked his lawyers to initiate appropriate action against the reckless and illegal decision of 5 December 2005" by which the MLC founders dismissed him from the party, according to Le Potentiel. Indeed, "it's tit for tat," writes Le Phare, commenting on Kamitatu's reaction. This is a response that "apparently the Congolese Liberation Movement did not anticipate, otherwise it would have avoided raising such as fuss over a case where everything was going against it (...). It will be difficult for the [MLC founders] to prove that [their] allegations against Olivier Kamitatu are verifiable," according to L'Avenir. When one thinks about it, one can see that "Olivier Kamitatu has won the first battle, that of attracting public sympathy by forcing his opponents to loose their self-control and project an image of intolerance," Le Phare concludes.

It is nevertheless a fact that "whoever knows Jean-Pierre Bemba closely, knows that this is an affront he will not tolerate," Le Phare warns. However the MLC president may respond, "things will never be the same between Jean-Pierre Bemba and Olivier Kamitatu (...) The Congolese Liberation Movement will never again be like it was before. And neither will its unity [be fully restored]," Le Potentiel predicts.

While a crisis looms large inside the MLC, President "Joseph Kabila, [for his part], addresses the nation [today] through the press," Le Palmarès announces. Essential issues he is expected to discuss include " the amnesty law, the Olivier Kamitatu case, the current preparations for the [upcoming constitutional] referendum, the exclusion of some politicians from the electoral process, the CIAT [International Committee In Support of the Transition]'s criticism, the payment of soldiers, the ministerial reshuffle (...)," according to L'Avenir. Similarly, Le Palmarès announces that, speaking to the press, the President of the Republic will address "all burning issues relating to Congolese national life."

Referring to the upcoming referendum vote, save a last-minute change, it will take place on the set date. "Malu Malu [head of the Independent Electoral Commission] confirms that constitutional referendum will be held on 18 December," Le Phare reports. For this reason, "the necessary steps are being taken for [the vote operation] to take place in good conditions," Le Phare says. It adds that "as of Tuesday 6 December, registration figures reached a total of 24300000 registered voters" nationwide.

In the run-up to the 18 December poll, "the CIAT is trying to find a way of getting [UDPS leader] Etienne [Tshisekedi] into the electoral process – [Tshisekedi] who, [for his part], wishes for a new transitional structure to be set up and lead the country to elections," Le Palmarès reveals. It is in this context that the International Committee in Support of the Transition has initiated "meetings at MONUC headquarters between the UDPS, RCD and MLC, [during which meetings] the UDPS has demonstrated openness," Le Palmarès adds.

In Ituri, meanwhile, "Justin Ngole Dalo, also known as Koliba, [who is] presented as the leader of the Nationalist and Integrationist Front (FNI)'s militia, has been arrested," L'Observateur reports. This militia leader is accused "of being directly involved in the organisation of the ambush that cost nine Bangladeshi blue helmets their lives on 25 February 2005, near Kafé, a locality of Ituri," La Tempête des Tropiques elaborates.

Press Reviews 2005