UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
5 Mar
2009
Press Review
Today's local papers in Kinshasa mainly comment on the jubilation caused by the taking of the town of Bukavu by the DRC regular armed forces.
Under the headline: a jubilant Bukavu: Mbuza Mabe drove out the insurgents, LE PALMARES recounts the atmosphere in Bukavu during ''the triumphal entrance of the liberators'', who were warmly welcomed by the populations. ''Bell rings were heard from different churches as never before from 5 to 8 hours, and cars horns and cries of joy from hundreds jubilant men, women and children waving palm branches and leaves and chanting slogans and local patriotic songs continue filling the invaded town'', the paper reports, further indicating that yesterday in Bukavu, there were crowds of people in the streets with overflowing enthusiasm. The paper hails the bravery of Mbuza Mabe's troops joined by the Maï-Maï combatants. The paper especially commends Monuc's action for having ''contributed in the victory of our troops''. This leads the paper to say that ''Swing has taken revenge on his detractors''.
L'OBSERVATEUR also refers to the scenes of jubilation in Bukavu but wonders about the fate of the chief dissidents. Alluding to Monuc's weekly news conference last Wednesday, the paper indicates that ''the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo is not in position to either confirm or deny the rumours according to which General Laurent Nkunda and colonel Jules Mutebutsi found refuge in Rwanda though the border between the DRC and Rwanda was closed''. The paper also quotes the Mission's military spokesman as indicating that ''the insurgents withdrew from Bukavu owing to Monuc's pressure''. The paper further announces that Monuc promised to monitor the rebel movements closely in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.
LE POTENTIEL, in turn, feels that the town of Bukavu (was) liberated through diplomatic means. The paper adds that ''the withdrawal of the insurgents from the town followed by the arrival of government troops is the result of lengthy discussions between the chiefs of the rebel troops and general Iliya, Monuc Force commander''. The paper indicates that Monuc was firmly insistent on three points addressing the insurgent forces: ''1. The DRC had, in the past, suffered a lot due to such kind of activities in the East; 2. The chief insurgents should face up to their responsibilities vis-à-vis the population and 3. It is unacceptable that a town be taken by force in the transitional phase.''
The joy following the return of Mbuza Mabe to Bukavu was unfortunately overshadowed by lootings, LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES reveals. According to the paper, several houses in Bukavu were looted by delinquents, despite the moralising speech held by General Mbuza Mabe calling on the population to refrain from acts of vandalism. The paper further indicates that Monuc has seized 500 kg of weapons and ammunitions belonging to colonel Mutebutsi's troops.
FORUM DES AS says that Mbuza Mabe has decided to act as Governor ad. interim of South Kivu. '' His mission would consist in restoring order and peace in Bukavu and across South Kivu province'', it indicates.
L'AVENIR calls for the liberation of Goma after the one of Bukavu. According to the paper, ''all the news from this province signals the visible presence of Rwandan soldiers in the town of Goma and others''. The paper feels that ''the liberation of Bukavu must not lead us to believe that the crisis is over in so far as Goma continues to be like a State within a State'' and says ''we are not out of the wood yet if Goma is not liberated''.
LE PHARE calls for the swift formation of a national army to discourage ''adventures'' such as the ones of Nkunda and Mutebutsi in future. The paper deplores the fact that the reunification of the army has been made at the summit level only but not lowest as provided for in the All-inclusive agreement. The paper strongly recommends that ''criteria for the selection of troops to form the national armed forces be swiftly determined''.
L'OBSERVATEUR also refers to the scenes of jubilation in Bukavu but wonders about the fate of the chief dissidents. Alluding to Monuc's weekly news conference last Wednesday, the paper indicates that ''the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo is not in position to either confirm or deny the rumours according to which General Laurent Nkunda and colonel Jules Mutebutsi found refuge in Rwanda though the border between the DRC and Rwanda was closed''. The paper also quotes the Mission's military spokesman as indicating that ''the insurgents withdrew from Bukavu owing to Monuc's pressure''. The paper further announces that Monuc promised to monitor the rebel movements closely in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.
LE POTENTIEL, in turn, feels that the town of Bukavu (was) liberated through diplomatic means. The paper adds that ''the withdrawal of the insurgents from the town followed by the arrival of government troops is the result of lengthy discussions between the chiefs of the rebel troops and general Iliya, Monuc Force commander''. The paper indicates that Monuc was firmly insistent on three points addressing the insurgent forces: ''1. The DRC had, in the past, suffered a lot due to such kind of activities in the East; 2. The chief insurgents should face up to their responsibilities vis-à-vis the population and 3. It is unacceptable that a town be taken by force in the transitional phase.''
The joy following the return of Mbuza Mabe to Bukavu was unfortunately overshadowed by lootings, LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES reveals. According to the paper, several houses in Bukavu were looted by delinquents, despite the moralising speech held by General Mbuza Mabe calling on the population to refrain from acts of vandalism. The paper further indicates that Monuc has seized 500 kg of weapons and ammunitions belonging to colonel Mutebutsi's troops.
FORUM DES AS says that Mbuza Mabe has decided to act as Governor ad. interim of South Kivu. '' His mission would consist in restoring order and peace in Bukavu and across South Kivu province'', it indicates.
L'AVENIR calls for the liberation of Goma after the one of Bukavu. According to the paper, ''all the news from this province signals the visible presence of Rwandan soldiers in the town of Goma and others''. The paper feels that ''the liberation of Bukavu must not lead us to believe that the crisis is over in so far as Goma continues to be like a State within a State'' and says ''we are not out of the wood yet if Goma is not liberated''.
LE PHARE calls for the swift formation of a national army to discourage ''adventures'' such as the ones of Nkunda and Mutebutsi in future. The paper deplores the fact that the reunification of the army has been made at the summit level only but not lowest as provided for in the All-inclusive agreement. The paper strongly recommends that ''criteria for the selection of troops to form the national armed forces be swiftly determined''.
