UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
6 Mar
2009
Press Review
Disarmament of foreign armed groups in DRC by FARDC (Congolese armed forces) in collaboration with MONUC, the integration of Congolese troops, the conference on peace, security and development in the Great Lakes region scheduled for 19 to 20 November in Tanzania are the major topics in today's local press.
The headlines in LE POTENTIEL read: MONUC and FARDC launch their first joint operation. The paper indicates that « at least three thousand troops were deployed Monday in Walungu to stabilise the district and protect the population», the 10th military region Spokesman told AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE. « A two-month moratorium was issued by FARDC chief of staff intended for the Hutu rebels cantoned in Eastern DRC calling for their voluntary disarmament and repatriation to their home country, Rwanda (') Upon being informed of DRC officials' intentions, Rwandan Hutu rebels, through their representative in Belgium, Anastase Munyandekwe, reacted to the International Community that they would not let themselves be disarmed by force», LE PHARE says, indicating in its front page that Rwandan rebels are threatening DRC.
The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda known as FDLR issued a communiqué condemning « the recent military moves initiated by MONUC» urging the FARDC to use every means in their power, including force, to disarm them, the paper says. The Hutu rebel movement warns the DRC Government against «trusting MONUC whose actual objective is to defend Paul Kagame's interests », the paper says. « It preconditions FDLR return home to the holding of a National Dialogue in Rwanda », LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES writes.
For LE PALMARES, Rwandan rebels in DRC are taunting FARDC and MONUC. L'AVENIR reports tensions in South Kivu in anticipation of a forced disarmament of Interahamwe and recalls that the presence of Rwandan combatants in DRC « will always serve as a pretext for Rwanda to try to continue its military operations in DRC, even though its true motivations are economical». LE PHARE considers that « the stage is set for a test of strength» since FARDC is determined to « neutralise the negative forces » in Walungu and its environs. LE PALMARES sees in FDLR position « a clear determination for negotiations on their disarmament »; the paper goes on to say that this « will in no way put the joint forces tasked with the mission in an awkward position». The paper also says, the Congolese army is determined « to carry through their disarmament with MONUC support». FARDC-MONUC operation in trouble, LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES says, indicating that «it would be in the best interest of DRC, bruised by the war, to secure its territory but it is not its responsibility to get Kagame to hold talks with his civilian and military countrymen opposed to his regime. Such an initiative comes within the competence of the International Community», the paper says, appealing to MONUC to help the DRC « drive out the foreign troops which are enemies of peace in the DRC, notably Rwandan militias who have been an obstacle to the DDRRR process (disarmament, demobilisation, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration) which concerns the foreign armed groups is making no headway».
FARDC chief of staff, General Kisempia has launched a Public Awareness campaign on military integration, L'AVENIR announces, indicating that « the operation consists in mobilising army officers, including the highest-ranking to support the integration process to lead to the formation of an integrated and restructured army ('), which stands as a true guarantee for the free, transparent and democratic elections due in June 2005 », the paper writes. The process which is completed at the level of the General Army Staff and military regions « should be expanded to all the troops and armed groups signatory to the All-inclusive agreement, residing in DRC and abroad », the paper adds.
Great Lakes summit has no right to fail, titles LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES, alluding to the 19- 20 November due in Dar-Es Salaam. « Maï-Maï resistants remain sceptic about a successful outcome of the meeting if they are not involved», the paper says, expressing hopes that the issue debated in Kampala during the preliminary meeting on the opening day Monday 8 November would be included on the agenda. In its editorial, LE POTENTIEL highlights that the DRC, which suffered a 5 year-war that left three million and half dead and during which its natural resources were systematically looted and its ecosystem destroyed, needs compensation for the damages suffered. «Dar-Es-Salaam conference will serve its right purpose if it could address this issue and envisage a solution likely to dispel all the resentments», the paper writes. « They must pave the way for a successful meeting in light of the concerns raised by the different parties involved in the Great Lakes crisis».
DRC must avoid falling into the Ivory Coast syndrome, LE PHARE warns, comparing the current Côte d'Ivoire crisis to the situation in DRC, noting that in both cases, there is no respect of commitments made during the negotiations, confiscation of power to the detriment of other political partners as denounced recently by the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD/Goma) ' monopolisation of power, organisation of militias and praetorian guards and recruitment of mercenaries. « All those facts lead to conclude that there would be no elections in June 2005 ('). It is up to the international community to avert the Ivory Coast syndrome in DRC through the International Committee for the Support of the Transition known as the CIAT, and the Congolese people (') Should CIAT and the Congolese people be less vigilant, the Cote d'Ivoire syndrome would happen in DRC», the paper concludes.
One million Congolese people under death threat in Kisangani, LA REFERENCE PLUS reports, indicating that a lightning damaged the power station supplying electricity to the city last Monday, throwing it into darkness. The administrative town of the Eastern Province has no more potable clean water, the paper adds, fearing some serious consequences that might arise « should the authorities not address the issue quickly».
The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda known as FDLR issued a communiqué condemning « the recent military moves initiated by MONUC» urging the FARDC to use every means in their power, including force, to disarm them, the paper says. The Hutu rebel movement warns the DRC Government against «trusting MONUC whose actual objective is to defend Paul Kagame's interests », the paper says. « It preconditions FDLR return home to the holding of a National Dialogue in Rwanda », LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES writes.
For LE PALMARES, Rwandan rebels in DRC are taunting FARDC and MONUC. L'AVENIR reports tensions in South Kivu in anticipation of a forced disarmament of Interahamwe and recalls that the presence of Rwandan combatants in DRC « will always serve as a pretext for Rwanda to try to continue its military operations in DRC, even though its true motivations are economical». LE PHARE considers that « the stage is set for a test of strength» since FARDC is determined to « neutralise the negative forces » in Walungu and its environs. LE PALMARES sees in FDLR position « a clear determination for negotiations on their disarmament »; the paper goes on to say that this « will in no way put the joint forces tasked with the mission in an awkward position». The paper also says, the Congolese army is determined « to carry through their disarmament with MONUC support». FARDC-MONUC operation in trouble, LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES says, indicating that «it would be in the best interest of DRC, bruised by the war, to secure its territory but it is not its responsibility to get Kagame to hold talks with his civilian and military countrymen opposed to his regime. Such an initiative comes within the competence of the International Community», the paper says, appealing to MONUC to help the DRC « drive out the foreign troops which are enemies of peace in the DRC, notably Rwandan militias who have been an obstacle to the DDRRR process (disarmament, demobilisation, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration) which concerns the foreign armed groups is making no headway».
FARDC chief of staff, General Kisempia has launched a Public Awareness campaign on military integration, L'AVENIR announces, indicating that « the operation consists in mobilising army officers, including the highest-ranking to support the integration process to lead to the formation of an integrated and restructured army ('), which stands as a true guarantee for the free, transparent and democratic elections due in June 2005 », the paper writes. The process which is completed at the level of the General Army Staff and military regions « should be expanded to all the troops and armed groups signatory to the All-inclusive agreement, residing in DRC and abroad », the paper adds.
Great Lakes summit has no right to fail, titles LA TEMPETE DES TROPIQUES, alluding to the 19- 20 November due in Dar-Es Salaam. « Maï-Maï resistants remain sceptic about a successful outcome of the meeting if they are not involved», the paper says, expressing hopes that the issue debated in Kampala during the preliminary meeting on the opening day Monday 8 November would be included on the agenda. In its editorial, LE POTENTIEL highlights that the DRC, which suffered a 5 year-war that left three million and half dead and during which its natural resources were systematically looted and its ecosystem destroyed, needs compensation for the damages suffered. «Dar-Es-Salaam conference will serve its right purpose if it could address this issue and envisage a solution likely to dispel all the resentments», the paper writes. « They must pave the way for a successful meeting in light of the concerns raised by the different parties involved in the Great Lakes crisis».
DRC must avoid falling into the Ivory Coast syndrome, LE PHARE warns, comparing the current Côte d'Ivoire crisis to the situation in DRC, noting that in both cases, there is no respect of commitments made during the negotiations, confiscation of power to the detriment of other political partners as denounced recently by the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD/Goma) ' monopolisation of power, organisation of militias and praetorian guards and recruitment of mercenaries. « All those facts lead to conclude that there would be no elections in June 2005 ('). It is up to the international community to avert the Ivory Coast syndrome in DRC through the International Committee for the Support of the Transition known as the CIAT, and the Congolese people (') Should CIAT and the Congolese people be less vigilant, the Cote d'Ivoire syndrome would happen in DRC», the paper concludes.
One million Congolese people under death threat in Kisangani, LA REFERENCE PLUS reports, indicating that a lightning damaged the power station supplying electricity to the city last Monday, throwing it into darkness. The administrative town of the Eastern Province has no more potable clean water, the paper adds, fearing some serious consequences that might arise « should the authorities not address the issue quickly».
