UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
9 Mar
2009
DRC Press Review
*Original in French
Today's press reports initiatives and proposals for bring an end to the controversy over the date of June 30, which was originally set to mark the end s the deadline for the transition process in the DRC.
Today's press reports initiatives and proposals for bring an end to the controversy over the date of June 30, which was originally set to mark the end s the deadline for the transition process in the DRC.
'June 30: what's at issue is the sharing out of posts' titles LA REFERENCE PLUS, announcing that 'there is a need for a substantial restructuring of the current institutional machinery.' The paper reports that Vital Kamerhe, general secretary of the presidential party, PPRD, has proposed to Maître Mukendi, political advisor for opposition party leader Etienne Tshisekedi of UDPS, 'the creation of a consultation framework for the signatory parties to the Global and All Inclusive Agreement, and a framework for these political parties' general secretaries.'
This idea seems to be gaining ground. LE PALMARES reports, 'To guard against all eventualities on 30 June 2005, civil society proposes holding a roundtable conference involving all political forces.'
Referring to steps being taken by Vice-President Azarias Ruberwa in this regard, LE PHARE writes: 'Seeking a powerful and bold political compromise,' Ruberwa went to South Africa 'very secretly' to meet with President Thabo Mbeki. Weeks earlier, LE PHARE recalls, Ruberwa had paid a visit to the Presidents of Gabon and Congo-Brazzaville. According to the paper, 'Azarias Ruberwa stands completely isolated within the 'espace présidentiel' (the phrase refers to the President and the four Vice-Presidents) where you find supporters of a tough line alongside invective enthusiasts.'
Striking a similar tone, LE PALMARES notes that Jean-Pierre Bemba 'sets himself up as Joseph Kabila's last defense.' President Kabila and Vice-President Bemba, the paper says, share a common approach to the 'Tshisekedi equation.' For its part, L'AVENIR considers 'that by accepting to negotiate with UDPS and its allies, Joseph Kabila puts his power at risk.' The paper advises against such negotiation, arguing that 'no one has ever profitably become allied with UDPS.'
According to LE POTENTIEL, 'there are increasing political contacts aimed at defusing the political crisis.' To this effect, the paper notes, the European Union has sent its Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, along with its High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, to the Great Lakes region.
Referring to the electoral process, LE POTENTIEL, looking at the process of drafting and establishing the future Constitution in particular, fears that the future constitutional 'referendum could prove to be a failure.' The paper however hopes that the 'deep differences emerging between the Senate and National Assembly on one hand and within each of the chambers of Parliament on the other hand, will transform into a compromise leading to the adoption of the Constitution through a popular vote.'
'Over 250 million euros placed in Swiss banks' titles L'OBSERVATEUR, referring to illegal funds from minerals being illegally traded between the DRC and Belgium. The paper quotes an article published in the Belgian newspaper LE SOIR, which announced that the Prosecutor's Office in Brussels wrapped up 'investigations into large-scale international trafficking of precious minerals from the DRC, uncovered in 2002.' 'The same aircrafts that carry humanitarian aid provided by non-governmental organizations are also used to transport arms and ammunition, and bombes as well. And these planes fly back to Europe with their baggage holds are filled with minerals and other resources from the Great Lakes region,' writes L'OBSERVATEUR, citing the producer of 'Le cauchemar de Darwin' (or Darwin's nightmare), a documentary-film on the illegal trade of natural resources in the region.
Several newspapers quotes a MONUC press release on MONUC's Ituri Brigade helping the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC), after these forces had come under attack by militiamen. 'The UN mission greets the courage of the FADRC integrated brigade which, though facing logistical difficulties, fought with determination,' reports L'OBSERVATEUR, citing the release. For its part, LE POTENTIEL, which publishes in full the release, stresses that 'MONUC reiterates its call for the militiamen, who are still held hostage by their recalcitrant commanders and who have not yet surrendered their weapons, to do so immediately.'
Reporting that the governor of South Kivu province has been suspended (by the Interior Minister), LE PALAMARES recalls that Augustin Bulaïmu already 'had been investigated for embezzlement of funds [and that] he had accused MONUC of seeking to place his province under UN supervision.' According to MONUC, 'Governor Bulaïmu's fiery rhetoric could undermine or derail the transition process,' LE PALMARES writes. The Interior Minister has the governor of Bas-Congo province too 'in his sights', the paper reveals.
This idea seems to be gaining ground. LE PALMARES reports, 'To guard against all eventualities on 30 June 2005, civil society proposes holding a roundtable conference involving all political forces.'
Referring to steps being taken by Vice-President Azarias Ruberwa in this regard, LE PHARE writes: 'Seeking a powerful and bold political compromise,' Ruberwa went to South Africa 'very secretly' to meet with President Thabo Mbeki. Weeks earlier, LE PHARE recalls, Ruberwa had paid a visit to the Presidents of Gabon and Congo-Brazzaville. According to the paper, 'Azarias Ruberwa stands completely isolated within the 'espace présidentiel' (the phrase refers to the President and the four Vice-Presidents) where you find supporters of a tough line alongside invective enthusiasts.'
Striking a similar tone, LE PALMARES notes that Jean-Pierre Bemba 'sets himself up as Joseph Kabila's last defense.' President Kabila and Vice-President Bemba, the paper says, share a common approach to the 'Tshisekedi equation.' For its part, L'AVENIR considers 'that by accepting to negotiate with UDPS and its allies, Joseph Kabila puts his power at risk.' The paper advises against such negotiation, arguing that 'no one has ever profitably become allied with UDPS.'
According to LE POTENTIEL, 'there are increasing political contacts aimed at defusing the political crisis.' To this effect, the paper notes, the European Union has sent its Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, along with its High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, to the Great Lakes region.
Referring to the electoral process, LE POTENTIEL, looking at the process of drafting and establishing the future Constitution in particular, fears that the future constitutional 'referendum could prove to be a failure.' The paper however hopes that the 'deep differences emerging between the Senate and National Assembly on one hand and within each of the chambers of Parliament on the other hand, will transform into a compromise leading to the adoption of the Constitution through a popular vote.'
'Over 250 million euros placed in Swiss banks' titles L'OBSERVATEUR, referring to illegal funds from minerals being illegally traded between the DRC and Belgium. The paper quotes an article published in the Belgian newspaper LE SOIR, which announced that the Prosecutor's Office in Brussels wrapped up 'investigations into large-scale international trafficking of precious minerals from the DRC, uncovered in 2002.' 'The same aircrafts that carry humanitarian aid provided by non-governmental organizations are also used to transport arms and ammunition, and bombes as well. And these planes fly back to Europe with their baggage holds are filled with minerals and other resources from the Great Lakes region,' writes L'OBSERVATEUR, citing the producer of 'Le cauchemar de Darwin' (or Darwin's nightmare), a documentary-film on the illegal trade of natural resources in the region.
Several newspapers quotes a MONUC press release on MONUC's Ituri Brigade helping the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC), after these forces had come under attack by militiamen. 'The UN mission greets the courage of the FADRC integrated brigade which, though facing logistical difficulties, fought with determination,' reports L'OBSERVATEUR, citing the release. For its part, LE POTENTIEL, which publishes in full the release, stresses that 'MONUC reiterates its call for the militiamen, who are still held hostage by their recalcitrant commanders and who have not yet surrendered their weapons, to do so immediately.'
Reporting that the governor of South Kivu province has been suspended (by the Interior Minister), LE PALAMARES recalls that Augustin Bulaïmu already 'had been investigated for embezzlement of funds [and that] he had accused MONUC of seeking to place his province under UN supervision.' According to MONUC, 'Governor Bulaïmu's fiery rhetoric could undermine or derail the transition process,' LE PALMARES writes. The Interior Minister has the governor of Bas-Congo province too 'in his sights', the paper reveals.
