UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
4 Mar
2009
Press Review
President Joseph Kabila's visit to Europe and the Supreme Court recommendation conferring full powers on the Head of State to appoint the Government's senior civil servants, are the major news in today's local papers in Kinshasa.
Chirac-Kabila Tête-à-tête today in Elysée, announces Le Potentiel, indicating that through his visits, ''the Congolese Head of State intends to consolidate existing friendship ties and to win new international support''. The paper highlights that France is the first leg of his tour to Europe; he will then continue on to Belgium, Great Britain and Germany.
Jacques Chirac and Joseph Kabila to review the DRC Transition, notes L'Observateur. The paper quotes the French Foreign Affairs Minister's spokesman as stating that ''this visit will enable him to review the DRC political, social and economic situations with his counterparts, a few months after the transitional period was inaugurated''. The paper further indicates that both personalities will address the issues relating to regional security and cooperation between France and DRC Intelligence Services as well as the need for organizing an international conference on peace and security in the Great Lakes region.
L'Avenir feels that through this trip, J. Kabila has launched an offensive for the electoral battle. In Paris, London, Berlin and Brussels, he should ''persuade his interlocutors to virtually and efficiently back the ongoing process in DRC that should lead to free and transparent elections'', writes the paper.
The headlines in Le Phare reads: Flood of reactions against the recommendation of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ), alluding to the CSJ recommendation to confer full powers on the Head of State to appoint the heads of provinces, government-owned firms, diplomatic services, security services, central bank etc. The paper further says that the ''cavalier'' procedure by Joseph Kabila with the CSJ and the approval by the latter have thrown the political class into turmoil and indignation. The paper says that three of the five constitutional components have officially and clearly dismissed the deed and do not recognize the ''anti-constitutional'' full powers conferred on Joseph Kabila by the High Court. Echoing some reactions in this regard, the paper indicates that the ''MLC remains intransigent and does not appreciate Joseph Kabila's procedure, stressing that the presidential party should have first held consultations with the parties to the dialogue''. The political opposition, in turn, says no to any appointments in the future by Joseph Kabila, reports the paper.
Uhuru notes that tension has gone up a notch, echoing the RCD's reaction that describes the submission of the case before the Supreme Court as a ''politically irresponsible and incorrect response''. The RCD will disapprove any appointment made by president Joseph Kabila in the above-mentioned areas, says the paper.
In the same development, L'Avenir declares itself offended by the reactions criticizing the Head of State's petition and wonders ''whom should the Head of State address apart from the High Court for an accurate interpretation of the Constitution''.
In the meantime, the MLC suspends its participation in Government meetings, reports Le Potentiel. Quoting MLC National Executive secretary, Thomas Luhaka, the paper adds that ''MLC ministers and vice-ministers will not participate in the cabinet meetings and the commissions with Joseph Olenghankoy''. The paper explains that this decision is a response to the insulting statements, which the minister of Transport and Communications allegedly made against the Vice-President for Economic and Financial Commission, Mr. Jean-Pierre Bemba, also the leader of the MLC.
This leads La Tempête des Tropiques to consider that the net is further tightening around Olenghankoy. It notes that this issue risks undermining the Transitional Government's cohesion. However, L'Avenir indicates that Joseph Olenghankoy was requested to take back his seat "until the MLC offers proof that Joseph Olenghankoy is guilty''.
Jacques Chirac and Joseph Kabila to review the DRC Transition, notes L'Observateur. The paper quotes the French Foreign Affairs Minister's spokesman as stating that ''this visit will enable him to review the DRC political, social and economic situations with his counterparts, a few months after the transitional period was inaugurated''. The paper further indicates that both personalities will address the issues relating to regional security and cooperation between France and DRC Intelligence Services as well as the need for organizing an international conference on peace and security in the Great Lakes region.
L'Avenir feels that through this trip, J. Kabila has launched an offensive for the electoral battle. In Paris, London, Berlin and Brussels, he should ''persuade his interlocutors to virtually and efficiently back the ongoing process in DRC that should lead to free and transparent elections'', writes the paper.
The headlines in Le Phare reads: Flood of reactions against the recommendation of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ), alluding to the CSJ recommendation to confer full powers on the Head of State to appoint the heads of provinces, government-owned firms, diplomatic services, security services, central bank etc. The paper further says that the ''cavalier'' procedure by Joseph Kabila with the CSJ and the approval by the latter have thrown the political class into turmoil and indignation. The paper says that three of the five constitutional components have officially and clearly dismissed the deed and do not recognize the ''anti-constitutional'' full powers conferred on Joseph Kabila by the High Court. Echoing some reactions in this regard, the paper indicates that the ''MLC remains intransigent and does not appreciate Joseph Kabila's procedure, stressing that the presidential party should have first held consultations with the parties to the dialogue''. The political opposition, in turn, says no to any appointments in the future by Joseph Kabila, reports the paper.
Uhuru notes that tension has gone up a notch, echoing the RCD's reaction that describes the submission of the case before the Supreme Court as a ''politically irresponsible and incorrect response''. The RCD will disapprove any appointment made by president Joseph Kabila in the above-mentioned areas, says the paper.
In the same development, L'Avenir declares itself offended by the reactions criticizing the Head of State's petition and wonders ''whom should the Head of State address apart from the High Court for an accurate interpretation of the Constitution''.
In the meantime, the MLC suspends its participation in Government meetings, reports Le Potentiel. Quoting MLC National Executive secretary, Thomas Luhaka, the paper adds that ''MLC ministers and vice-ministers will not participate in the cabinet meetings and the commissions with Joseph Olenghankoy''. The paper explains that this decision is a response to the insulting statements, which the minister of Transport and Communications allegedly made against the Vice-President for Economic and Financial Commission, Mr. Jean-Pierre Bemba, also the leader of the MLC.
This leads La Tempête des Tropiques to consider that the net is further tightening around Olenghankoy. It notes that this issue risks undermining the Transitional Government's cohesion. However, L'Avenir indicates that Joseph Olenghankoy was requested to take back his seat "until the MLC offers proof that Joseph Olenghankoy is guilty''.
