UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
6 Mar
2009
Press Review
Visit by High-level delegation of DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) coinciding with the one of the Vice-president for Political, Defence and Security affairs, Azarias Ruberwa are the lead stories in today's local press. Some local papers refer to the disagreements within the Parliament's lower house over the amnesty-relating issue.
LE PHARE quotes some 'reliable sources' as indicating that the chief of FARDC Army Staff, Lieutenant General Kisempia, heading an 'important military delegation' made up of all the different forces of the Congolese armed forces, is visiting Bukavu this Tuesday. 'The senior military officers, will certainly address as a matter of priority the recent clashes within the FARDC troops', the paper writes, highlighting that the delegation will as well look into the issue relating to the Maï Maï who 'apparently refused to take orders from anybody, more particularly in the area surrounding the Kavumu airport, the last Saturday event is an illustration of this'.
The army staff high-level delegation on a mission to Bukavu, titles LA REFERENCE PLUS. 'The sources close to the FARDC army staff disclosed that the purpose of the mission is to conduct a technical survey likely to lead to the merging of all the different belligerent groups as well as to a reunified and integrated army'. LE POTENTIEL refers to the same issue and titles: FARDC high command joins Ruberwa in Bukavu.
LE PHARE speaks of Azarias Ruberwa's visit to Cyangungu today 'where approximately 4,000 people took refuge'. The paper says that the refugees, mainly comprised of Congolese students, expressed their wish to return to the DRC. 'Azarias Ruberwa brings them a triple message of comfort, commitment to peace and reconciliation, as well as an appeal for their return 'home in DRC', the paper writes. LE PHARE also announces that the Vice-President for Political, Defence and Security matters, will first travel to Kigali to meet with Rwandan Government officials.
The paper recalls Monday talks between Mr. Ruberwa and MONUC senior officers over 'the consolidation of the peace process, the last Bukavu events and the ensuing damages, the nature of the crimes committed and the return home of refugees'.
Ruberwa brokers Nkunda's fate 'to spare Kivu further violence', titles LE POTENTIEL, describing the Vice-President's mission as a difficult one. 'He will have to reconcile RCD's (Congolese Rally for Democracy) view with its Rwandan partner on one hand, and on the other, take into consideration the objectives of the Transition in light of the All-inclusive Agreement which the Government must abide by', the paper says, further indicating that Azarias Ruberwa will be judged based on his capacity to propose workable solutions up to the situation prevailing in Kivu and, more particularly regarding Nkunda and Mutebutsi who occupied the town of Bukavu from 2 to 9 June 2004. The paper recalls Mr. Ruberwa's view regarding Laurent Nkunda: 'Nkunda must either be granted an amnesty to continue moving about freely in DRC, or be gratified with an exile. Ruberwa has apparently opted for a negotiated solution which conditions must be determined to avoid further deterioration of the situation in DRC', LE POTENTIEL writes. For the paper, Vice-President Ruberwa is 'apparently using Nkunda as an alternative solution for undisclosed intentions: 'either peace in return for Nkunda's impunity or war'. In other words, the whole thing looks like they are trying to reward a warlord, which may cause many other people to model on him'. For LA REFERENCE PLUS, Azarias Ruberwa's mission is a high-risk one.
Ruberwa flown to his residence in Bukavu by helicopter, titles L'AVENIR, 'due to security reasons'; the paper further says that the population has been disappointed for 'they (') feel betrayed by a leader travelling to his home province that way', the paper writes, indicating: 'They wonder why he was escorted by 76 troops when returning to his home province'.
In another development, FORUM DES AS titles Discontent within National Assembly. 'Tension was running so high at yesterday's plenary which was postponed amid the tense climate prevailing in the Parliament', the paper writes, highlighting that the session was postponed to Wednesday. The paper quotes some MPs as indicating that the postponement is due to 'non payment of emoluments'.
With regard to the amnesty, LE PALMARES titles: Joseph Kabila is angry with Olivier Kamitatu's letter to the Supreme Court. The subject 'seriously' divides MPs, notes the paper, further indicating that the bone of contention mainly concerns the Late President Laurent Desire Kabila's killers. A source close to the Congolese head of State is quoted by the paper as declaring himself unable to make out 'why the head of the National Assembly is dealing with an issue that directly concerns the Head of State's party'. The head of the National Assembly's letter 'requests the Head of the Supreme Court's advice to enable the legislative organ to address this issue with more assurance and serenity'. According to the paper, Joseph Kabila and Olivier Kamitatu are not in disagreement, on the contrary, 'both personalities had a meaningful contact last week-end'.
Security reform in DRC, Special services are being reformed, titles LE PHARE. The paper announces the opening of a training seminar for about hundred inspectors of the Congolese National Police and Heads of Special Services from all parts of the country in Kinshasa last Monday. 'For five days, they will exchange experience with MONUC experts on the working methods and techniques imposed by the new context of reunification and transitional process', the paper writes.
The army staff high-level delegation on a mission to Bukavu, titles LA REFERENCE PLUS. 'The sources close to the FARDC army staff disclosed that the purpose of the mission is to conduct a technical survey likely to lead to the merging of all the different belligerent groups as well as to a reunified and integrated army'. LE POTENTIEL refers to the same issue and titles: FARDC high command joins Ruberwa in Bukavu.
LE PHARE speaks of Azarias Ruberwa's visit to Cyangungu today 'where approximately 4,000 people took refuge'. The paper says that the refugees, mainly comprised of Congolese students, expressed their wish to return to the DRC. 'Azarias Ruberwa brings them a triple message of comfort, commitment to peace and reconciliation, as well as an appeal for their return 'home in DRC', the paper writes. LE PHARE also announces that the Vice-President for Political, Defence and Security matters, will first travel to Kigali to meet with Rwandan Government officials.
The paper recalls Monday talks between Mr. Ruberwa and MONUC senior officers over 'the consolidation of the peace process, the last Bukavu events and the ensuing damages, the nature of the crimes committed and the return home of refugees'.
Ruberwa brokers Nkunda's fate 'to spare Kivu further violence', titles LE POTENTIEL, describing the Vice-President's mission as a difficult one. 'He will have to reconcile RCD's (Congolese Rally for Democracy) view with its Rwandan partner on one hand, and on the other, take into consideration the objectives of the Transition in light of the All-inclusive Agreement which the Government must abide by', the paper says, further indicating that Azarias Ruberwa will be judged based on his capacity to propose workable solutions up to the situation prevailing in Kivu and, more particularly regarding Nkunda and Mutebutsi who occupied the town of Bukavu from 2 to 9 June 2004. The paper recalls Mr. Ruberwa's view regarding Laurent Nkunda: 'Nkunda must either be granted an amnesty to continue moving about freely in DRC, or be gratified with an exile. Ruberwa has apparently opted for a negotiated solution which conditions must be determined to avoid further deterioration of the situation in DRC', LE POTENTIEL writes. For the paper, Vice-President Ruberwa is 'apparently using Nkunda as an alternative solution for undisclosed intentions: 'either peace in return for Nkunda's impunity or war'. In other words, the whole thing looks like they are trying to reward a warlord, which may cause many other people to model on him'. For LA REFERENCE PLUS, Azarias Ruberwa's mission is a high-risk one.
Ruberwa flown to his residence in Bukavu by helicopter, titles L'AVENIR, 'due to security reasons'; the paper further says that the population has been disappointed for 'they (') feel betrayed by a leader travelling to his home province that way', the paper writes, indicating: 'They wonder why he was escorted by 76 troops when returning to his home province'.
In another development, FORUM DES AS titles Discontent within National Assembly. 'Tension was running so high at yesterday's plenary which was postponed amid the tense climate prevailing in the Parliament', the paper writes, highlighting that the session was postponed to Wednesday. The paper quotes some MPs as indicating that the postponement is due to 'non payment of emoluments'.
With regard to the amnesty, LE PALMARES titles: Joseph Kabila is angry with Olivier Kamitatu's letter to the Supreme Court. The subject 'seriously' divides MPs, notes the paper, further indicating that the bone of contention mainly concerns the Late President Laurent Desire Kabila's killers. A source close to the Congolese head of State is quoted by the paper as declaring himself unable to make out 'why the head of the National Assembly is dealing with an issue that directly concerns the Head of State's party'. The head of the National Assembly's letter 'requests the Head of the Supreme Court's advice to enable the legislative organ to address this issue with more assurance and serenity'. According to the paper, Joseph Kabila and Olivier Kamitatu are not in disagreement, on the contrary, 'both personalities had a meaningful contact last week-end'.
Security reform in DRC, Special services are being reformed, titles LE PHARE. The paper announces the opening of a training seminar for about hundred inspectors of the Congolese National Police and Heads of Special Services from all parts of the country in Kinshasa last Monday. 'For five days, they will exchange experience with MONUC experts on the working methods and techniques imposed by the new context of reunification and transitional process', the paper writes.
