UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
5 Mar
2009
Press review
The first anniversary of President Joseph Kabila as the Head of the reunified DRC and the visit of the British Minister of International Cooperation Hilary Benn to Kinshasa are the major news in today's local papers.
In its editorial, LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES recalls that Major General Joseph Kabila was sworn in by the Supreme Court of Justice on 8 April 2003. 'This was an opportunity for him to express his commitment to the roadmap set by the inter Congolese political negotiations having led to the signing of the All-inclusive agreement that is today the reference framework for the transition'', indicates the paper. The paper further says, ''no consistent progress has been made'' since then. The paper notes that in spite of the participation of the ex-rebels in the Government in Kinshasa, the central government is still not in control of all of the territories. It also notes that ''the key players are lacking in confidence and harmony watching each one's every move''. With such a frame of mind driving on the different political actors, the democratic process cannot make progress, says the paper. Referring to the first anniversary of the swearing-in of the Congolese Head of State, L'AVENIR publishes president Kabila's message in full on this occasion of 8 April.
It is in this context that LE POTENTIEL announces the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle against a background of tribal and economic interests. The paper believes that ''the hawks in the presidential circle – PPRD (Parti du peuple pour la reconstruction et le développement), wants the removal of some of the ministers of their component, in particular those not belonging to their ethnic groups or tribes, and running important ministries such as the Economy''. According to the paper, the aim of the strategy is ''to make president Joseph Kabila win the presidential elections'', by controlling the economy, ''at whatever the price''. Disapproving the retention of incompetent and immoral ministers, the paper denounces any attempt ''to eliminate one's rivals on ethnical and tribal grounds''.
The British Minister for International Cooperation, Hilary Benn, arrived in the DRC on 8 April, in the framework of a working visit, reports L'OBSERVATEUR. Referring to the DRC peace process, the British minister indicated that ''the transitional government has been able to achieve a lot over the past nine months''. He urged the Government ''to work for a successful transition, fight the immense poverty affecting the country, focus on urgent issues such as security and the holding of the elections; that is the next important phase for the transition'', indicates the paper.
The British statesman announced that 70 million USD will be donated in aid to the DRC this year, reveals LA REFERENCE PLUS, noting that the new aid is an increase of 50% compared to that of 2003 which was approximately 37 million USD.
L'AVENIR, in turn, feels that through the visit of the British minister, Tony Blair exploring J. Kabila, Ruberwa and J.P. Bemba on the transition and elections. The paper indicates, without further comments, that Hilary Benn held talks with president Joseph Kabila and Vice presidents Azarias Ruberwa and Jean-Pierre Bemba on the development of the transitional process in the DRC. L 'AVENIR, however, notes that shadiness surrounds this trip. The paper reveals that Tony Blair's collaborator was unable to make the trip to Bukavu as planned; where he wished ''to see for himself the development of the transition and discuss with MONUC staff the living conditions on the ground''. According to the paper, the British minister said he did not receive the necessary clearance.
In Kindu, Maniema, approximately 536 ex-combatants, volunteers for demobilization and disarmament, were returned to civilian life Wednesday, during a ceremony organised for the event. This is what reports L'AVENIR, noting that this operation is part of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) of the local armed groups that was launched at the beginning of the war.
Furthermore, President Kabila appointed the National Coordinator for the Preparatory Committee of the Great Lakes International Conference on Peace, Security, Democracy and Development, according to L'OBSERVATEUR. " He appointed Mr. Amuli Kabaruza as national coordinator and professor Banyaku Lwape as deputy national coordinator", adds the paper.
It is in this context that LE POTENTIEL announces the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle against a background of tribal and economic interests. The paper believes that ''the hawks in the presidential circle – PPRD (Parti du peuple pour la reconstruction et le développement), wants the removal of some of the ministers of their component, in particular those not belonging to their ethnic groups or tribes, and running important ministries such as the Economy''. According to the paper, the aim of the strategy is ''to make president Joseph Kabila win the presidential elections'', by controlling the economy, ''at whatever the price''. Disapproving the retention of incompetent and immoral ministers, the paper denounces any attempt ''to eliminate one's rivals on ethnical and tribal grounds''.
The British Minister for International Cooperation, Hilary Benn, arrived in the DRC on 8 April, in the framework of a working visit, reports L'OBSERVATEUR. Referring to the DRC peace process, the British minister indicated that ''the transitional government has been able to achieve a lot over the past nine months''. He urged the Government ''to work for a successful transition, fight the immense poverty affecting the country, focus on urgent issues such as security and the holding of the elections; that is the next important phase for the transition'', indicates the paper.
The British statesman announced that 70 million USD will be donated in aid to the DRC this year, reveals LA REFERENCE PLUS, noting that the new aid is an increase of 50% compared to that of 2003 which was approximately 37 million USD.
L'AVENIR, in turn, feels that through the visit of the British minister, Tony Blair exploring J. Kabila, Ruberwa and J.P. Bemba on the transition and elections. The paper indicates, without further comments, that Hilary Benn held talks with president Joseph Kabila and Vice presidents Azarias Ruberwa and Jean-Pierre Bemba on the development of the transitional process in the DRC. L 'AVENIR, however, notes that shadiness surrounds this trip. The paper reveals that Tony Blair's collaborator was unable to make the trip to Bukavu as planned; where he wished ''to see for himself the development of the transition and discuss with MONUC staff the living conditions on the ground''. According to the paper, the British minister said he did not receive the necessary clearance.
In Kindu, Maniema, approximately 536 ex-combatants, volunteers for demobilization and disarmament, were returned to civilian life Wednesday, during a ceremony organised for the event. This is what reports L'AVENIR, noting that this operation is part of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) of the local armed groups that was launched at the beginning of the war.
Furthermore, President Kabila appointed the National Coordinator for the Preparatory Committee of the Great Lakes International Conference on Peace, Security, Democracy and Development, according to L'OBSERVATEUR. " He appointed Mr. Amuli Kabaruza as national coordinator and professor Banyaku Lwape as deputy national coordinator", adds the paper.
