UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
9 Mar
2009
DRC Press Review
*Original text in French
The on-going political transition process in the DRC captures most headlines in today's press.
The on-going political transition process in the DRC captures most headlines in today's press.
'Constitution and elections 2005: Independence pioneers sound an alarm,' reads one headline in LE POTENTIEL. The story quotes a long declaration by 'Independence pioneers' which, it says, amounts to a call for 'an impersonal Constitution, a parliamentary regime, republican institutions and the organisation of 2005 elections in conformity with Article 196 of the Constitution of the transition.'
Referring to the same declaration and titling 'the Independence pioneers make their voice heard', LE PALMARES points out, 'the head of State should be selected on a second round of elections.'
Quoting more details of the same statement, LA REFERENCE PLUS notes, 'The Independence pioneers propose an indirect election of the President through a special congress grouping together the Parliament and elected provincial assemblies.' According to the paper, 'The Fathers of [Congo's] Independence' opt for 'a rationalised parliamentary regime for the DRC'.
On the same subject, L'AVENIR thinks there is reason 'to fear marginalisation of the opposition.' 'The truth is that the opposition is not in a position to mobilise enough support to impose its views on the Congolese electoral process. It is unable to act in unity.' So, according to L'AVENIR, 'PALU and UDPS are going toward a political suicide.'
Also referring to the on-going political transition, LE PHARE announces that 'Ruberwa consults Omar Bongo' In Gabon. Explaining the reasons for the Congolese Vice-President's Gabon trip, the paper writes, 'Reberwa is visiting Omar Bongo after political parties have shown increasing signs of tension as the June 30 deadline draws near.'
Quoting the UN Security Council declaration on the decision of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) to give up their armed struggle, LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES stresses that 'the United Nations urges Kinshasa, Kigali and MONUC to cooperate' by 'taking the opportunity to them presented to contribute to bringing peace and stability across the entire Great Lakes region.' In regards to FDLR, the paper notes, 'the Security Council urges them to turn the declaration they freely adopted in Rome into acts. That is by immediately handing over all their arms to MONUC and joining without delay the programme that is in place for their voluntary and peaceful return to Rwanda.'
In the same connection, L'OBVERVATEUR reports, 'the Security Council calls on the FDLR to honour their commitments.' The paper notes, 'The Security Council declaration comes 48 hours ahead of the meeting between Presidents Bush and Kagamé in Washington.' According to L'OBSERVATEUR, this meeting 'could be an opportunity to pressure Rwanda in favour of the on-going process in the Great Lakes.'
Reporting on MONUC weekly press conference held Wednesday, L'AVENIR announces, 'MONUC has committed itself to train 32,000 police troops to protect the [future] elections.' According to the paper, 'this force is to be deployed throughout the national territory.'
Also concerning MONUC, LE POTENTIEL quotes MONUC Director of Public Information, Kemal Saiki, speaking to the French news agency (AFP), as saying, 'As of Wednesday, 10,022 ex-combatants have joined the disarmament and community reintegration process in Ituri.'
'The Global Navigation Satellite System introduced in the DRC,' announces LE POTENTIEL, quoting an article by MONUC's Marcella Carew. 'Recently the Aviation Section of MONUC introduced in the DRC the global navigation satellite system, a new satellite-based air traffic management system project that will be used in 10 airports across the country,' the paper writes.
Referring to the same declaration and titling 'the Independence pioneers make their voice heard', LE PALMARES points out, 'the head of State should be selected on a second round of elections.'
Quoting more details of the same statement, LA REFERENCE PLUS notes, 'The Independence pioneers propose an indirect election of the President through a special congress grouping together the Parliament and elected provincial assemblies.' According to the paper, 'The Fathers of [Congo's] Independence' opt for 'a rationalised parliamentary regime for the DRC'.
On the same subject, L'AVENIR thinks there is reason 'to fear marginalisation of the opposition.' 'The truth is that the opposition is not in a position to mobilise enough support to impose its views on the Congolese electoral process. It is unable to act in unity.' So, according to L'AVENIR, 'PALU and UDPS are going toward a political suicide.'
Also referring to the on-going political transition, LE PHARE announces that 'Ruberwa consults Omar Bongo' In Gabon. Explaining the reasons for the Congolese Vice-President's Gabon trip, the paper writes, 'Reberwa is visiting Omar Bongo after political parties have shown increasing signs of tension as the June 30 deadline draws near.'
Quoting the UN Security Council declaration on the decision of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) to give up their armed struggle, LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES stresses that 'the United Nations urges Kinshasa, Kigali and MONUC to cooperate' by 'taking the opportunity to them presented to contribute to bringing peace and stability across the entire Great Lakes region.' In regards to FDLR, the paper notes, 'the Security Council urges them to turn the declaration they freely adopted in Rome into acts. That is by immediately handing over all their arms to MONUC and joining without delay the programme that is in place for their voluntary and peaceful return to Rwanda.'
In the same connection, L'OBVERVATEUR reports, 'the Security Council calls on the FDLR to honour their commitments.' The paper notes, 'The Security Council declaration comes 48 hours ahead of the meeting between Presidents Bush and Kagamé in Washington.' According to L'OBSERVATEUR, this meeting 'could be an opportunity to pressure Rwanda in favour of the on-going process in the Great Lakes.'
Reporting on MONUC weekly press conference held Wednesday, L'AVENIR announces, 'MONUC has committed itself to train 32,000 police troops to protect the [future] elections.' According to the paper, 'this force is to be deployed throughout the national territory.'
Also concerning MONUC, LE POTENTIEL quotes MONUC Director of Public Information, Kemal Saiki, speaking to the French news agency (AFP), as saying, 'As of Wednesday, 10,022 ex-combatants have joined the disarmament and community reintegration process in Ituri.'
'The Global Navigation Satellite System introduced in the DRC,' announces LE POTENTIEL, quoting an article by MONUC's Marcella Carew. 'Recently the Aviation Section of MONUC introduced in the DRC the global navigation satellite system, a new satellite-based air traffic management system project that will be used in 10 airports across the country,' the paper writes.
